Steve Sherman’s recent article “We can boost aviation fuel independence” (April 5) conveniently sidesteps a central issue for the “sustainable aviation fuels,”  or SAFs, it seeks to promote – the actual sustainability of those fuels.

The very name “sustainable aviation fuels” is misleading, implying that it is in some way better than traditional jet fuel, but this is not necessarily the case. In fact, there’s strong evidence that these crop-based biofuels are more carbon-intensive than traditional jet fuel when their full life cycle is taken into account. And according to a CBS report, the US would need to use all the land it currently uses to produce corn, plus an additional 40%, just to meet current aviation needs. This would hijack arable land needed for food production, and could lead to increased hunger as well as the destruction of necessary forests and wetlands.

At a Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) meeting on Jan. 28, 2025, Senator Mike Barrett spoke on SAFs, saying “We have lots of startups in Massachusetts that hope someday to cure cancer, and we certainly want to encourage them to try. But none of us go out and encourage our kids to smoke cigarettes because the cure is going to come in their lifetimes.”

While we must do everything in our power to reduce carbon emissions in the midst of the climate crisis, relying on SAFs as they stand now will not allow us to meet 2050 Climate Goals, even according to the FAA. With the current federal administration’s rejection of decarbonization efforts, the situation is even worse.

Lara Sullivan

Coalition to Stop Private Jet Expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere

After reading Sunday’s article by Gayla Cawley (“Boston Water and Sewer has investigated its HR director”), how’s this for an idea?

Whenever a city, county, state, federal, or any type of public employee gets placed on “paid leave” due to alleged wrongdoing or for investigation, why don’t they just be forced to come into work and just sit at their desk for the eight hours?  Restrict their access to computers, etc., and just have them sit in the office doing nothing. Why give them a free, “paid vacation” where they’re allowed to sit at home. This isn’t rocket science.

Ken Mahoney

Peabody

I’ve got one question to ask Senator Elizabeth Ann Warren. Warren has been the senator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 2012 and during those 13 years all I’ve ever heard from her is “how this is bad and how that is bad.” My question is, rather than complaining all the time, start making Massachusetts proud and do something positive. I’m kind of sick and tired of listening to your complaining.

Tony Meschini

Scituate