The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Montana Renewables, LLC (MRL) a $1.67 billion loan guarantee to expand its biofuel production facility in Great Falls, Montana. The expansion will significantly increase the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel, and renewable naphtha, aligning with the Biden administration’s push for cleaner energy solutions and emission reductions in the transportation sector.
This expansion will boost MRL’s output from 140 million gallons to 315 million gallons annually, with SAF constituting a major portion of this increase. Once fully operational, the facility will supply about half of North America’s SAF needs and 12% of global demand, making it a key player in the global shift toward cleaner aviation fuels. SAF is particularly crucial for decarbonizing the aviation industry, which currently accounts for around 11% of U.S. transportation emissions.
The expansion is expected to have a positive economic impact on the local community, creating 450 construction jobs and 40 permanent operational roles, many of which will be filled by local, unionized workers. In addition, MRL’s parent company, Calumet, has committed to supporting local education initiatives, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
This investment is also part of a broader environmental justice effort under the Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to direct 40% of federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities. Many of the areas near the Great Falls facility face environmental challenges, and MRL has emphasized local hiring and community engagement to address these disparities.
The loan falls under the DOE’s Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) program, which focuses on repurposing existing energy infrastructure. By converting part of an oil refinery into a renewable fuel production facility, MRL is reducing emissions and transitioning the region toward more sustainable energy practices.
This project is a step toward meeting the U.S. government’s ambitious SAF production goals of 3 billion gallons annually by 2030 and 35 billion by 2050. As the aviation sector seeks to meet its decarbonization targets, this expansion plays a critical role in advancing the nation’s renewable energy goals and supporting the global transition to cleaner fuels.
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