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Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a critical component of the aviation industry’s path to decarbonization.
This fast-growing space is highly complex, involving long-term development of fuel technologies (including biofuels and power-to-liquids or eSAF), development and financing of production facilities, transportation infrastructure, and commercial agreements for offtake. In addition, a growing complexity of incentives and subsidies interplays with national and international regulatory frameworks, presenting numerous legal challenges.
Vinson & Elkins’ multidisciplinary team of attorneys are leaders in the legal issues related to sustainable aviation fuel. Our team is familiar with the wide range of opportunities and legal intricacies that companies encounter when seeking to strengthen or expand their business in the SAF sector. Vinson & Elkins advises numerous SAF market participants — producers, developers, investors, offtakers, distributors, and more. We provide comprehensive service in:
Vinson & Elkins has built a decades-long reputation for excellence in both aviation and renewable energy, and our forward-thinking counsel on SAF-related matters has earned our attorneys the trust of clients across the world.
Infinium in the development of a power-to-liquids eFuels facility in Texas that will convert waste carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into SAF and other low carbon fuels, and in its $75 million project equity investment commitment from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst
World Energy in all development, financing and other arrangements for $2 billion SAF production and distribution hub in Paramount, CA with Air Products (NYSE: APD)
Southwest Airlines in a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply agreement with Valero Marketing and Supply Company, a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, to bring SAF to Chicago Midway International Airport in the state’s largest announced SAF supply agreement
Southwest Airlines in its Series A investment in SAFFiRE Renewables, a company that facilitates development activities for the production of renewable ethanol that can ultimately be upgraded into sustainable aviation fuel
Southwest Airlines Co. in its $30 million investment in LanzaJet, Inc., a sustainable aviation fuel technology provider and producer with a patented ethanol-to-SAF technology
LanzaJet in relation to the development of a sustainable aviation fuel project in the UK
Southwest Airlines on offtake agreement with a sustainable fuels technology company for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and established long-term strategic partnership to purchase significant volumes of SAF in the future
ING Capital LLC and MUFG Bank Ltd. in a syndicated $265 million credit facility to JET Infrastructure Holding IA LLC, an aviation fuels (including sustainable aviation fuels) provider that owns and operates a portfolio of fuel pipelines and terminals supplying major hub airports and urban growth centers across the U.S.
Southwest Airlines in its acquisition of SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC as part of the investment portfolio of its wholly owned subsidiary Southwest Airlines Renewable Ventures, LLC
Southwest Airlines in the negotiation of allocation of environmental attributes and emission reductions related to sustainable aviation fuel
Represented a major international bank in its financial support of eFuels SAF offtake arrangement with major airline, which includes the bank receiving Scope 3 GHG emissions reductions attributes and resulting sustainability claims
Represented an investment management company in potential environmental liabilities arising from loan to convert a petroleum refinery to a sustainable aviation fuel refinery
At Vinson & Elkins, we bring decades of knowledge, skill, and experience to our clients’ most complex legal matters.
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Client Alerts
Material Assistance Guidance Released, Leaving Taxpayers Wanting More
On February 12, 2026, the Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”) released IRS Notice 2026-15 …
February 13, 2026
February 13, 2026 • 5-minute read
Client Alerts
45Z: All Throttle, No Traction
On February 3, 2026, the Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”) issued much-anticipated Proposed 45Z …
February 11, 2026
February 11, 2026 • 8-minute read
Client Alerts
Japan’s Key Role in the SAF Industry
Published by SAF Investor, this article highlights Japan’s growing leadership in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) space. Backed by strong government policy, industrial investment, and innovative feedstock strategies, Japan aims to replace 10% of its jet fuel consumption with SAF by 2030.
July 14, 2025 • Published by SAF Investor
July 14, 2025 • 1-minute read
Client Alerts
The recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration mark a significant shift in U.S. trade policy that is expected to have a wide-ranging impact across multiple sectors, including in the energy sector.
April 15, 2025 • V&E Energy Update | Published in Energy Intelligence
April 15, 2025 • 4-minute read
Client Alerts
Aviation Finance: The Outlook for Business in 2025
As global passenger demand surges back to pre-pandemic levels, the aviation finance sector finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. Lower interest rates are sparking renewed activity, the aircraft ABS market is rebounding, and supply chain challenges continue to reshape priorities.
January 9, 2025
January 9, 2025 • 1-minute read
Client Alerts
Flight Path to the Future: The UK SAF Mandate
The UK government is advancing efforts to accelerate the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which currently makes up only 0.17% of global aviation fuel use, despite industry targets of 10% by 2030.
October 7, 2024 • Published by Energy Intelligence
October 7, 2024 • 1-minute read
Client Alerts
Overcoming Pricing Hurdles in Power-To-X
In this article, published by PFI and written in conjunction with etasca, Alan Alexander, Lauren Davies, Andrew Nealon and Louis Molloy discuss the challenges and potential solutions for scaling Power-to-X (P2X) technologies to meet global net-zero targets. P2X involves converting renewable energy into low-carbon products like hydrogen, e-methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
September 12, 2024 • Published by PFI
September 12, 2024 • 1-minute read
