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.
Ethanol
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%.
House Passes Bill to Allow Year-Round Sales of E15
The U.S. House passed legislation on Wednesday that would allow nationwide year‑round sales of gasoline containing 15% ethanol, handing a major win to biofuel producers and farm groups while raising concerns among refiners about higher compliance costs. The proposal (now) faces an uphill battle in the Senate due to entrenched opposition from oil-state lawmakers.
Iran War Impacts Boost US Agribusiness 2026 Outlooks
Soaring crude oil markets have pushed soybean oil prices to the loftiest levels in more than three years, a boon for oilseed processors like Bunge Global and Archer Daniels Midland, which have seen North American soy crush margins swell to their highest since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
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.
House Ag Committee Advances Farm Bill with Democrat Support
The House Agriculture Committee advanced the Republican-led farm bill in a 34-17 vote early Thursday after a marathon markup that was clouded by partisan fighting about the package.
House Ag Chair Aiming for Late February Farm Bill 2.0
House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson has tentatively scheduled a farm bill markup for the week of Feb. 23, according to three people familiar with the plans.
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 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.
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 […]
Ag Groups Suing Over Biden Emissions Rules
Reuters reported Tuesday that “the top U.S. oil and corn industry lobby groups said on Tuesday they were suing the administration of President Joe Biden over its plans to slash planet-warming tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks, arguing the regulations will cause economic harm.” “The American Petroleum Institute (API), which is the top U.S. oil […]
Community Benefits Agreement Reached for Nebraska Pipeline Project
The Iowa Capital Dispatch’s Paul Hammel reported last week that “the developer of a carbon-dioxide pipeline (across Nebraska) and an environmental group have struck a ‘one-of-a-kind’ agreement to ensure ‘community benefits’ from the pipeline as well as support for the project.” “Kansas-based Tallgrass, which is converting a 392-mile-long natural gas pipeline to transport CO2, announced […]
Ag Disappointed in Tailpipe Emissions Rule
Progressive Farmer’s Todd Neeley reported Wednesday that “the Biden administration finalized national pollution standards for vehicles through 2032, leaving next to no room for ethanol and other biofuels as a tool to cut emissions.” “While the new standards give automakers some flexibility in how they reduce emissions, the standards do little to use ethanol and other […]
Biden Administration Preparing Policy Shift on Rule to Boost Ethanol
Reuters writers Jarrett Renshaw and Stephanie Kelly reported yesterday that, “The Biden administration is expected on Wednesday to recommend for approval a rule that would allow expanded sales of gasoline with a higher ethanol blend in certain U.S. Midwest states, based on a request from governors in those states, four sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.”
EPA Proposes Cuts to the Renewable Fuel Standard
Reuters writers Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw reported this week that, “The Biden administration on Tuesday proposed scaling back the amount of biofuels that U.S. oil refiners were required to blend into their fuel mix since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”