A driver unloads corn at a refining facility in Iowa. (Sergio Flores/Bloomberg News)
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A national trade coalition is urging Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to set Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and later to bolster U.S. biofuel availability.
“The prior [Biden] administration’s low RFS volumes and delays in providing guidance on new tax policies are creating uncertainty for producers. That could make it more difficult for truckers to access supplies of these fuels,” Paul Winters, public affairs and federal communications director for , told Transport Topics.
Representing biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel producers, feedstock suppliers, and fuel distributors, Clean Fuels has continuously asked EPA to establish RFS. In December 2024, the alliance filed a lawsuit to try to force EPA to set a timeline for RFS volume for 2026 that were due by statute in November 2024.
A asked Zeldin to establish RFS targets as he begins working on federal policies “that promote American energy and renewable fuels.” The request was penned by the Clean Fuels Alliance, the National Association of Truck Stop Owners, , American Petroleum Institute, biofuel trade group Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers.
Other signatories were the National Association of Convenience Stores and agricultural interests represented by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association and National Oilseed Processors Association.
The coalition expressed readiness to work with EPA and the Trump administration, emphasizing the importance of liquid and gaseous fuels for the American economy and environment. The group highlighted its commitment to providing the renewable fuel volume needed for American growth.
The group asked EPA to release multiyear standards for RFS so that market stakeholders can better engage in business planning, compliance and stable capital investments. The federal government standard establishes how many renewable fuel gallons must be blended annually into U.S. fuels.
“We believe strong, steady volumes for conventional biofuel targets, biomass-based diesel and advanced fuels would more accurately reflect the availability and ongoing investments in feedstocks and production capacity. Additionally, it would reflect the increased demand in new markets, such as marine, rail and aviation,” the letter stated. “While our organizations have not always agreed on every detail, we have joined together in recognition of the critical role liquid fuels serve in the American economy to advance liquid fuels and ensure consumers have a choice of how they fuel their vehicles.”
Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, reiterated the coalition’s shared belief that RFS strengthens the U.S. energy industry.
“The RFS has been instrumental in securing America’s leadership in liquid transportation fuels. Since its implementation, the advanced biofuels industry has delivered more than 23 billion gallons of low-carbon liquid fuels, reducing reliance on unstable foreign markets and bolstering U.S. energy independence. As a result, the United States has become the world’s leading producer of advanced biofuels — a position made possible by smart policy and continued industry investment,” McAdams said.
He also emphasized the importance of EPA establishing RFS standards that call for ambitious biofuel production volume next year and in the future to mirror current and near-term availability.
“Aligning RFS volumes with actual feedstock availability and establishing multiyear standards is not just about cleaner energy — it’s about ensuring a diverse and reliable fuel supply that supports rural economic development, stabilizes costs for businesses and consumers, and reinforces America’s competitive edge in global energy markets,” McAdams said.
