On Monday, the EPA said it has granted full exemptions to 18 out of 34 refineries that had sought exemptions from their Renewable Fuel Standard obligations for the 2025 compliance year. The exemptions totalled 1.76 billion worth of renewable fuel credits.
Biofuels
US Could Lose 30 Million Corn Acres without More Biofuels Markets, Study Says
A new report from U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action and its partners predicts the U.S. could lose roughly 30 million corn acres by 2050 if new sources of feed demand are not found and the ethanol blending rate remains at 10%.
EPA Sets Record High Biofuel Blending Volumes
The Trump administration issued long-awaited final biofuel-blending rules for this year and next, marking the biggest mandate ever for biomass-based diesel following years of policy setbacks for producers of renewable fuel and oilseed crops.
Trump Admin Set To Allow Summer E15 Fuel Sales
The Trump administration is preparing to expand the opportunity for sales of higher-ethanol E15 gasoline this summer by waiving the fuel from US volatility requirements, according to people familiar with the matter.
Senate to Begin Work on Farm Bill Within Weeks, Boozman Says
Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman said Monday he plans to soon take up a five-year farm bill, regardless of delays a similar bill may face in the House. Asked at an agriculture policy conference when he plans to move a measure through his committee, Boozman said, ‘Weeks, not months,’ but did not offer specifics.
Treasury Releases Proposed 45Z Clean Fuels Credit Rule
The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a proposed rule governing how biofuel makers can access a $1-per-gallon tax credit for low-carbon transportation fuels, including aviation fuel. The rule was welcomed by biofuel trade groups that said the plan could provide more certainty for producers of ethanol, biodiesel and other products seeking the credit.
Trump Says Congress ‘Close’ to Deal for Year-Round E15
President Donald Trump called on Congress Tuesday to resolve differences over year-round sales of E15 fuel and to finalize an agreement that would be a boon for struggling corn farmers.
Congress Creating Ethanol Task Force After Year-Round E15 Deal Fails
Republican U.S. lawmakers plan to create a task force to study potential year-round sales of higher-ethanol E15 gasoline blends in the U.S., after an attempt to pass such legislation in a funding bill this week fell through.
Proposed Gov’t Funding Bills Don’t Include Farm Aid, E15
A package of funding bills assembled by House and Senate appropriators that needs to pass before the end of January does not contain any more aid for farmers. It’s also without a provision authorizing year-round E15 biofuel sales despite a last-minute push from farm-district Republicans.
US Ethanol Production Reaches Record Levels to Start 2026
U.S. fuel ethanol production expanded by 9%, reaching a record high 1.196 million barrels per day the week ending Jan. 9. The week ending Jan. 9 marks the fourth time since the beginning of November that U.S. fuel ethanol production has set a new record.
EPA Proposes Biofuel Reallocation Options
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday issued a proposal for reallocating to large refineries the biofuel blending obligations waived under the Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) program, offering two primary options of 50% and 100%. Additionally, the agency said it will ask for comment on other potential volumes, such as 25%, 75% or none at all.
EPA Biofuel Reallocation Proposal Reportedly Could Trim Demand
The White House is considering a plan that would require large oil refineries to cover around half or less of the biofuel blending requirements recently waived for smaller facilities, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
California Senate Passes Bill to Allow E15 Fuel Sales
California lawmakers on Wednesday voted to allow the sale of a higher-ethanol gasoline blend that could help bring down fuel prices in the largest U.S. auto market. California had been the only U.S. state that did not allow sales of E15, a blend containing 15% ethanol.
EPA Likely to Propose RFS Volumes Below Industry Expectations
The EPA will propose new biofuel blending requirements for oil refiners for the coming two years that will likely include a lower biomass-based diesel mandate than industry groups had requested, according to four sources familiar with the matter.
Farmers Pushing for Biofuels Boost to Increase Crop Demand
Bloomberg’s Kim Chipman, Alicia Diaz, Erin Ailworth and Ilena Peng reported late last week that “after losing their biggest export market due to Donald Trump’s trade wars, US farmers are now counting on the president’s support for biofuels to prevent their next crop from piling up in storage.” “The administration is set to soon unveil […]
EPA Delivers Proposed RVOs to White House
Agri-Pulse’s Rebekah Alvey reported that “the Environmental Protection Agency has sent its next set of proposed biofuel volume mandates to the White House for review, signaling the long-delayed rule could be coming soon.” “Under the Renewable Fuel Standard, the agency sets renewable volume obligations for different fuel types like biomass-based diesel, advanced and cellulosic biofuels. […]
Trump Admin Issues Waiver for Summertime E15 Sales
Reuters’ Stephanie Kelly reported that “the Trump administration on Monday issued an emergency waiver to allow the sale of a higher-ethanol gasoline blend (E15) to be sold this summer nationwide, saying it will add to fuel supply during the peak U.S. driving season and bring down costs.” “The move likely will benefit biofuel producers and […]
Canada May Hit US Ethanol With Retaliatory Tariffs
Reuters’ Jarrett Renshaw and Arathy Somasekhar reported Tuesday that “Canada could impose non-tariff measures such as restricting its oil exports to the United States or levying export duties on products if a trade dispute with the U.S. escalates further, Canada’s energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on Tuesday.” “‘When we are talking about non-tariff retaliation, it […]
USDA Releases 45Z Feedstock Details, Drops Bundling Requirement
Progressive Farmer’s Chris Clayton reported Wednesday that “less than a week after biofuel groups lamented the lack of details about the Clean Fuels Production (45Z) tax credit, USDA released an interim rule for climate-smart crops being used as biofuel feedstocks that should provide the biofuels industry more clarity on how to move forward.” “The interim […]
Biofuels Groups Criticize Partial 45Z Clean Fuels Guidance
Reuters reported at the end of this past week that “the U.S. government on Friday released short-term guidance on how companies can secure clean fuel tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, but fell short of finalizing the program’s key details.” “Biofuels groups are eager for clarity on the tax credits for fuels that combat […]