The 10-inch pipeline stretching south from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and leading to a potential hub for sustainable aviation fuel is a fascinating project involving Koch Industries’s Pine Bend Refinery. This refinery is expected to generate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a feedstock derived from renewable materials, waste, or other nonPetroleum sources. Between 2022 and 2029, Pine Bend Refinery will blend this SAF into its conventional jet fuel and transport it through the 10-inch pipeline to the airport, where it will be utilized by flights operated by Delta Airlines and other carriers.
Theónica Baker, co-founder of Koch Industries, proposed this project as a strategic move to establish a new center for sustainable aviation fuel production in the Midwest. Over the course of a few miles along the pipeline, Pine Bend Refinery will receive 60 million gallons of SAF, potentially up to 50 percent of the fleet’s annual consumption. In 2025, the refinery aims to produce 1 billion gallons of SAF, a figure that surpasses demand at the Minneapolis airport and could become a major producer for additional hubs across the United States and potentially the world. However, this project—like many others following the 2022 climate law signed by Biden—reliance on financial support frameworks remains a critical barrier.
The initiatives driving this project were outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, also known as the Climate Law. Blocking this funding has been a challenge for policymakers, as the Trump administration’s environmental policies, banning traditional tax credits and excessive renewable allocations, have been seen as a scalpel for climate-smart efforts. However, Koch Industries has镱ed the project as an attractive solution under the Biden administration’s framework. These challenges underscore the need for robust measures to address climate risks effectively.
Despite the progress with Delta Airlines and thekfounding of new extratemarks, the projected timelines for achieving significant milestones remain uncertain. For instance, Pine Bend Refinery completed $782 million of its $1.67 billion loan in 2023 but faced a drawn-out tactical delay as early sanctions against Trump and the fossil fuel industry sought confirmation of alignment with President Trump’s climate policies. This delay revealed both the resilience and vulnerabilities of the renewable energy and climate-smart technologies being explored.
The successful establishment of Pine Bend Refinery by Koch Industries serves as a model for other renewable energy projects, but it also highlights challenges in ensuring the recipient infrastructure and processes remain viable despite the adoption of new technologies. The ramping up of sustainable aviation fuel production will require tailored solutions, including advanced blending technologies and tailored transportation infrastructure. Additionally, ensuring that companies like the Federal Reserve Shape Value Measures (FSvM) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) continue to support the SAF industry will be essential to mitigate the risks associated with transitioning to a greener economy.
Once operational, the project could create jobs at Pine Bend Refinery, Shell Physics’s extreme fuel blending facilities, and Delta Airlines’ existing aviation division, making it a significant economic and environmental booster. However, operate the pipeline and industry while balancing the complexities of a growing renewable energy sector demands caution. Without smoother transition and the ability to adapt to potential regulatory changes or public scrutiny, the future of this project carries significant uncertainty. The industry driving the futures of these sustainable aviation fuels and transportation will continue to evolve, shaped by collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect for climate goals.
