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Trump Administration Nears Biofuels Mandate Decision
Agriculture Secretary Rollins Says Renewable Fuel Standard Guidance Will Arrive Soon as Farmers Seek Clarity
The Trump administration is “moving at warp speed” to get out biofuels blending standards, with an announcement coming “sooner rather than later,” according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“We have been in a lot of meetings ensuring that our agriculture community is frankly put first and farm security is national security,” Rollins said at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “The president has been resolute on that since day one and certainly has not taken his foot off the gas pedal.”
Companies have been anxiously awaiting a decision on long-delayed guidance on mandates for mixing renewable fuels with gasoline and diesel. A lack of clarity on the so-called Renewable Fuel Standard has weighed on the agriculture and biofuel industries. Increased use of renewable fuels is expected to boost demand for feedstocks like corn and soybeans at a time when farmers are facing weak crop prices and high input costs.
RELATED: South Dakota Soybean Plant to Boost Biofuel Industry
“We feel very good” that the biofuels guidance will be out soon, Rollins said after an event where the agency announced ato promote transparency in labeling of agricultural products. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin said at a conference March 23 that a decision would come by the end of the month.
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A farmer drives a combine harvester during a soybean harvest in Trenton, Mo. (Clayton Steward/Bloomberg)
The March 24 presentation came as the White House prepares to host farmers and CEOs of agriculture companies at an event March 27 marking National Agriculture Day. “The big celebration on [March 27] could be a great place to talk about important things moving forward,” Rollins said. “So that’s what we’re gearing toward.”
The administration is reaching out to farmers who have been struggling with President Donald Trump’s global tariffs and are being additionally squeezed as the war in the Middle East sends prices forfertilizer, a key input for growing crops, skyrocketing.
The agency is looking at multiple options to help with fertilizer prices, Rollins said. Farm groups have floated the idea of pausing countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphates, which have tightened the market for crop nutrients.
“I personally believe the Moroccan action could be really important,” Rollins said. “Hopefully we can make some more moves, not just Morocco, but other moves moving forward that will lessen the stress” on farmers, she said.
