The Trump administration hit two home runs for the ethanol industry during the last week of March amidst National Agriculture Month celebrations – announcing waivers to allow sales of E15 through the summer, in lieu of Congressional action to make it permanent, and finalizing the long-delayed renewable volume obligations for 2026 and 2027. In this edition of The Ethanol Report …
Iowa E15 Sales Shatter Record with 60% Increase
The Iowa Department of Revenue released the 2025 Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report this week, showing E15 sales increased 60% last year in Iowa to over 410 million gallons sold. At the end of 2025, almost half of Iowa fuel stations offered E15, with the blend accounting for 27% of gasoline sales. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff …
Industry Reacts to Final RFS Volumes
Ethanol industry stakeholders are pleased with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the 2026 and 2027 compliance years under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ‘Set 2’ Rule overall, but still take issue with the 70% partial reallocation of the 2023–2025 granted small refinery exemptions (SREs). Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says they …
Poll Finds Overwhelming Support for E15 to Lower Prices
A new poll from Morning Consult, conducted for the Renewable Fuels Association, finds an overwhelming majority of registered voters support expansion of the lower-cost E15 fuel blend and legislation to make the fuel permanently available year-round and nationwide. “These polling results send a clear and unequivocal message to policymakers: American voters want expanded access to lower-cost E15—and they want it …
Groups Urge Reasonable Guidelines for Aviation Tax Credits
Over 20 agricultural and biofuels groups sent a letter this week to administration officials urging them to establish reasonable guidelines that will allow farmers to benefit from the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit, which is designed to facilitate the sale of ethanol and other biofuels in the aviation sector. The letter was sent to officials at Treasury, the Department …
Ethanol Report on Girls Auto Clinic
The Renewable Fuels Association is a proud sponsor of Girls Auto Clinic (GAC) to expand ethanol education and outreach to a growing audience of women who are actively engaged in car buying, maintenance, and repair. Founder Patrice Banks spoke at the recent National Ethanol Conference about her efforts to help women gain the knowledge and confidence to take charge of …
Strong Start for 2026 Ethanol and DDGS Exports
U.S. ethanol exports kicked off 2026 at 212.1 million gallons (mg), according to the latest Renewable Fuels Association Trade Monitor for January 2026. Despite slipping 4% from December, it is 8 percent more than January 2025. Canada retained its position as the top destination with a 5% increase to 70.0 mg, with denatured fuel ethanol accounting for 90% of the …
RFA Report on Who’s Talking About E15
Everyone is talking about E15 and yet there is still no bill to show for it. The Renewable Fuels Association just released a comprehensive report on “What They’re Saying” about E15, featuring dozens of statements from members of Congress, President Trump, administration officials, Governors, and industry leaders on the urgent need to pass year-round E15 legislation immediately. “As this report …
Industry Looking for 45Z Answers
With planting season coming soon in many parts of the country, farmers and ethanol producers are looking for clear answers to take full advantage of the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit. Republican lawmakers sent a letter this week to the Secretaries of Treasury Scott Bessent, Energy Chris Wright, and Agriculture Brooke Rollins urging final rules that recognize on-farm conservation …
AI and the Ethanol Industry at NEC
At the recent National Ethanol Conference, Cornell University Professor Sarah Kreps, an expert in AI, national security, and geopolitics, addressed how artificial intelligence intersects with energy security and global competition. While admitting she’s “not an ethanol insider,” Kreps drew from her upbringing in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to connect AI’s challenges to the ethanol sector. Kreps emphasized that AI’s rapid growth …