EPA Official at NEC Delivers RFS News

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The Environmental Protection Agency’s Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation had some breaking news at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando Wednesday – the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Set 2 final rule has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

EPA’s Aaron Szabo said during his address that he expects the rule will be finalized before the end of March.”This is after constant work and deliberation by our fantastic team in OAR in consultation with other federal workers in the federal government,” Szabo said. He emphasized the rule’s development involved extensive public input, including five days of hearings with over 140 speakers and more than 2,000 comments. Szabo noted that resolving small refinery exemptions first, as requested by stakeholders, added complexity but provided needed certainty. “We have not delayed this rule for any reason or by any request. This is really hard, and we want to make sure we do it right to give you all the certainty you all ask for and deserve,” he added.

When it comes to E15, Szabo talked about EPA’s role in keeping the pumps open in the summer of 2025 with the emergency fuel waivers. “These waivers were grounded in our statutory authority. They were timely, and they reinforced something important: Ethanol is an essential part of fuel supply stability,” he stated.

However, Szabo said, “Last spring was not how I would like to move forward this spring. The uncertainty resulting in the PSI requirement changes at the last minute resulted in significant unnecessary costs within the industry and on Americans.”

Finally, Szabo addressed the EV mandate, celebrating the February 12 rescission of the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding and repeal of all GHG standards for vehicles. “This action… is the single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history and will save Americans over $1.3 trillion,” he proclaimed, including $2,400 average per-vehicle savings. He criticized prior policies for pushing a “de facto mandate favoring a single technology pathway, electric vehicles,” threatening liquid fuels and the RFS. “There is no E15, there is no RFS if we do not have liquid fuels.”

Listen to Szabo’s comments at NEC here:
U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Aaron Szabo
NEC26 Aaron Szabo, EPA (28:48)

2026 National Ethanol Conference photo album

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RFA CEO Calls for Unleashing U.S. Ethanol

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In a rousing address at the 2026 National Ethanol Conference this morning, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper drew parallels between the ethanol industry’s untapped potential and the inspiring underdog story of college football quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cooper likened the sector to the overlooked athlete who, given the chance, achieved extraordinary success – a metaphor for ethanol’s readiness to “be let off the leash” amid regulatory hurdles.

Reflecting on 2025 achievements, Cooper highlighted record-breaking production of 16.4 billion gallons of ethanol, up 200 million from the prior year. The industry also produced 35 million metric tons of high-protein animal feed and 4.7 billion pounds of distillers corn oil, supporting 13 billion pounds of red meat and 575 million gallons of bio-based diesel. Carbon capture reached a new high of 3.3 million tons, with growing sequestration efforts. Demand surged, with domestic consumption at 14.3 billion gallons – the highest in six years – and an average gasoline inclusion rate of 10.5%. Exports hit a record 2.2 billion gallons, shipped to over 80 countries, representing one in eight gallons produced.

“We saw glimpses of our industry’s potential last year, and 2025 was another good year for the U.S. ethanol industry,” Cooper said. “But we could have done so much more, if simply given the opportunity. More to lower fuel prices for consumers. More to reduce reliance on imported petroleum. More to clean up the air and reduce emissions. And more to create jobs and boost the farm economy.”

That opportunity, RFA emphasized, begins with eliminating outdated federal regulations that restrict E15 sales during the summer driving season. Despite bipartisan support and a broad coalition agreement that included the American Petroleum Institute, legislative efforts to secure permanent, nationwide year-round E15 sales narrowly failed in late 2024 and again in early 2026. And instead of adopting year-round E15, the House formed the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council” to continue working on the issue.

House lawmakers serving on the council had pledged legislative action on year-round E15 by today, but as of this morning, no bill had been introduced. Cooper called on members of Congress to act swiftly, stressing that year-round E15 would lower fuel costs, strengthen U.S. energy security, and provide critical economic relief to farmers and working families. Cooper noted that a small handful of mid-sized refining companies is holding up progress on E15 and reform of the RFS program’s small refinery exemption (SRE) program. He said lawmakers are finding out “that there is simply no way to appease mid-sized refiners who continue to game the RFS system with SREs. Those refiners either want to maintain the status quo, or they want to blow up the RFS entirely—neither of those options is acceptable to the majority of liquid fuel and agriculture stakeholders.”

“Our message to the Council—and to every member of Congress—is clear: Year-round, nationwide E15 is an urgent priority for America’s farmers, energy sector, and working families—and it can’t wait any longer. Unleash E15! Let’s get it done,” Cooper said.

He encouraged all members of the RFA and the ethanol industry in general to contact their members of Congress and urge them to pass E15 legislation.

Read Cooper’s remarks here and listen to the entire address below:
NEC26 State of the Industry (37:37)

2026 National Ethanol Conference photo album

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Kansas Governor Promises E15 Action

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Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says that if Congress neglects to take action to authorize year-round E15 sales nationwide she will consider asking for EPA approval to opt out of the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for E10, as eight states have already done.

“While I have resisted opting out of the EPA waiver for the State of Kansas in favor of following the nationwide emergency waiver for the years of 2022 through 2025, the reliance on the granting of this emergency waiver continues to cause stress on our fuel retailers and agricultural industry,” said Governor Kelly in a press release. “Congress can eliminate this patchwork of regulatory relief by implementing a nation-wide solution to this issue and providing regulatory certainty for industry and lower gas prices for Americans….Further delay of a national solution to this issue by Congress will cause me to give strong consideration to submitting a request to join the eight other states who have received EPA approval to sell E15 year-round. The deadline to submit this waiver request is April 1, 2026.”

“We thank Gov. Kelly for her leadership in supporting lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 for Kansas all year round,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “If Congress can’t secure a nationwide, legislative fix allowing year-round E15, states have no choice but to take action on their own.”

Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin have already taken the action Gov. Kelly may pursue, meaning those states will have year-round access to E15 even if Congress fails to adopt legislation.

The National Ethanol Conference officially gets underway today in Orlando, as Congress misses its self-imposed deadline to have E15 legislation on the floor for consideration. Lawmakers reportedly are “close” to getting a bill done with Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) telling Agri-Pulse that the council formed to accomplish that task is working together and blamed the snowstorm for delaying progress.

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2026 Ethanol Industry Outlook and Pocket Guide Released

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The Renewable Fuels Association released its 2026 Ethanol Industry Outlook and Pocket Guide this week in Orlando to kick off the 31st annual National Ethanol Conference. These publications serve as the go-to source of ethanol industry information, facts, and statistics, and follow the NEC theme of “Ethanol Unleashed.”

The Annual Ethanol Outlook provides the facts and data on ethanol’s benefits, as well as the roadmap for expanding those benefits through the removal of barriers and roadblocks to increased ethanol production and use worldwide. The Outlook also features an updated listing of all U.S. ethanol biorefineries.

Since 2001, the annual Outlook publication has provided policymakers, regulators, consumers, the media, and renewable fuel advocates with key statistics, trends, insight, and analysis on the latest developments in the U.S. ethanol industry, as well as commentary on what to expect in the coming year. The publication is recognized worldwide as the go-to source for ethanol industry facts, while also featuring a detailed fold-out listing of every fuel ethanol plant in the country, along with production capacity. The Pocket Guide to Ethanol contains much of the same information as the Outlook, but in an abbreviated format and smaller size for ease of use.

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Ethanol Conference Unleashes in Orlando

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The National Ethanol Conference officially kicks off today in Orlando with the annual golf tournament and welcome reception in preparation for the main event tomorrow featuring a full day of presentations and panels focused on the theme “Ethanol Unleashed.”

The Renewable Fuels Association set the tone for the conference today releasing the latest analysis of ethanol’s impact on the U.S. economy, showing record-setting production and exports supported 79,000 U.S. jobs, along with an additional 237,000 indirect and induced jobs across all sectors of the economy.

The industry created $28 billion in household income, contributed $50 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product, and generated nearly $10 billion in tax revenues at the federal, state and local levels. The report also calculates that the industry spent $24 billion on 5.5 billion bushels of corn and grain sorghum alone, as the industry continued to support America’s farming communities.

For the first time in recent memory, the NEC is being held at the same time as Commodity Classic, which officially starts tomorrow but is already holding pre-conference events in San Antonio. The annual conference of the American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association in conjunction with the National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and Association of Equipment Manufacturers, is celebrating 30 years this year.

RFA Senior VP, Industry Relations & Market Development, Robert White will be attending both events, heading from Orlando to San Antonio to host an RFA reception and exhibit at the massive Classic trade show. The RFA exhibit will include a 2025 Chevy 2500HD pickup that was converted to flex fuel using a simple conversion kit. That will be after White moderates the first panel at NEC tomorrow morning on E15 in California.

The need for nationwide, year-round E15 will be a major topic of discussion at both conferences, with EPA and USDA officials slated to speak. The annual State of the Ethanol Industry address by RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper will be livestreamed at 8:00 am Eastern Wednesday morning. Tune in to see it live here.

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Indonesia Trade Deal to Benefit U.S. Ethanol

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President Trump with Indonesian minister and USTR Ambassador Greer

The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with Indonesia, signed last week by President Donald Trump, expands American market access to the world’s fourth most populous country while eliminating tariff barriers on over 99% of U.S. products exported to Indonesia across all sectors, including ethanol.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper thanked President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for a trade agreement that helps open the door to ethanol exports to the country. “At a time of record U.S. ethanol exports, this new agreement will help open the door to a new market where low-cost, low-carbon ethanol is wanted and needed,” said Cooper. “Indonesia has long been a priority market for U.S. ethanol, with potential demand of roughly 1 billion gallons if 10-percent ethanol blends are used nationwide.”

Cooper says the agreement importantly states that Indonesia shall not adopt or maintain any measure that prevents the import of U.S. ethanol. As Indonesia plans to implement its policy to supply transportation fuels blended with up to five percent ethanol (E5) by 2028 and up to 10 percent ethanol (E10) by 2030, the agreement also says Indonesia will ultimately endeavor to use 20 percent ethanol (E20), subject to the availability of supply and the readiness of supporting infrastructure.

USGBC photo

The industry has already been working with Indonesian officials and stakeholders to implement import policies that allow Indonesia to prioritize its domestically produced ethanol while allowing U.S. ethanol to fill any supply gaps or deficiencies.

Earlier this month, RFA General Counsel Ed Hubbard joined other industry members and USDA Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg for an Agricultural Trade Mission (ATM) to Jakarta, Indonesia, to promote U.S. ethanol. The mission culminated in an ethanol policy workshop which brought together senior policymakers and regulators, private industry leaders and researchers to support Indonesia’s planned transition to E10 ethanol blending. Presentations and panel discussions addressed regulatory alignment for E10 implementation, ethanol pricing mechanisms, excise treatment of fuel-grade ethanol, infrastructure readiness and feedstock diversification strategies. The workshop was organized by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC).

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Ethanol Exports Shatter Records in 2025

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The Renewable Fuels Association has released its annual report on the value of U.S. ethanol exports, documenting a record $7.6 billion in 2025, fueled by a record 2.18 billion gallons of ethanol exports and 11.6 million metric tons of distillers grains shipments.

“Growth in the export market provided crucial support for U.S. ethanol producers this past year,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Our trading partners around the world are increasingly embracing American-made ethanol because it helps lower their fuel costs, reduces emissions, and decreases their reliance on petroleum. One out of every eight gallons of ethanol produced in the United States is being exported, providing savings at the pump and cleaner air for drivers in dozens of countries across the globe.”

As detailed in the ethanol trade summary report, the record 2.18 billion gallons exported to more than 80 countries in 2025 represented a 13 percent increase over 2025. The value of U.S. ethanol exports soared to $4.8 billion, also a record high. Shipments to Canada set an annual record for a single destination, tallying over 792 million gallons. The European Union, India, United Kingdom and Colombia were also sizable markets.

Exports of the ethanol co-product and livestock feed distillers grains were still strong, totaling 11.6 million metric tons in 2025, the fourth largest on record. These exports represent 36 percent of domestic distillers grains production. Export volumes were valued at $2.8 billion. Mexico remained the top export market out of more than 50 countries, with a 20 percent share, followed by South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia.

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December Ethanol Exports Make 2025 Top 2 Billion Gallons

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U.S. ethanol exports in December hit 220.3 million gallons (mg), representing the second-largest monthly volume on record, according to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association. This means 2025 ethanol exports exceeded a record 2 billion gallons for the first time, well surpassing annual shipments of 1.94 billion gallons in 2024.

Roughly half of shipments went to Canada and the European Union, both of which recorded month-on-month declines that were offset by rebounds in several other major markets. Canada remained the leading destination, importing 66.4 mg (-14%) and accounting for roughly two-thirds of all denatured fuel ethanol sales. Exports to the European Union slipped 6% to 42.7 mg—almost entirely routed through the Netherlands—which remained the principal outlet for undenatured fuel ethanol. Shipments to Jamaica surged to a record 16.9 mg, while exports to the Philippines tripled to a seven-year high of 16.1 mg. India halved its purchases to 14.9 mg. Brazil re-entered the market with 13.3 mg, its highest import level since April 2022. Other major destinations included Colombia (9.7 mg, -25%), South Korea (8.8 mg, +215%), the United Kingdom (7.5 mg, -56%), and Nigeria (7.4 mg, +13%). For the full year, U.S. ethanol exports climbed to a new record of 2.18 billion gallons.

Meanwhile, U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) were down four percent in December to an eight-month low of 894,665 metric tons (mt), reflecting softer demand across most major markets.

Mexico, the largest buyer, cut imports 13% to a ten-month low of 164,406 mt. In contrast, Indonesia increased purchases 7% to a 20-month high of 112,706 mt. South Korea declined 7% to 110,538 mt, while Vietnam dropped 30% to 80,920 mt. Other notable markets included Canada (63,649 mt, +18%), New Zealand (60,000 mt, +49%), the United Kingdom (41,337 mt, +131%), and Turkey (38,220 mt, -52%). The remaining 25% of December exports were distributed across thirty additional countries. Strong momentum in the second half of the year lifted total U.S. DDGS exports to 11.60 million mt in 2025, the fourth-highest annual volume on record.

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Ag Economist Stresses Importance of E15

Cindy Zimmerman

At the recent 2026 Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau annual meeting, Washington ag consultant Jim Wiesemeyer emphasized the critical role of domestic ethanol demand — particularly year-round E15 sales — in supporting U.S. corn growers amid low commodity prices and cash flow pressures.

Wiesemeyer stressed that expanding E15 could significantly boost corn consumption and help reduce burdensome carryover stocks. “If we get year-round E15, it will be very good for the consumption of corn,” Wiesemeyer said. “And that’s going to whittle down those stocks. If you whittle down carryover, that means higher prices, or should be.”

Wiesemeyer says the U.S. lags behind other countries using E25 or E30 blends, calling for higher levels like E20 or E25 to further drive demand. “We really should be at E20 or E25,” he said. “Look at other countries around the world. They’re going E25, E30. So we’re behind the curve on that one. That’s for the future. That’s building for the future to more domestic consumption.”

With farmers facing consecutive low-price years, Wiesemeyer views expanded domestic utilization as a jobs creator and market stabilizer, reducing reliance on volatile exports. Combined with the 45Z clean fuel tax credit and potential RFS increases for 2026-2027, these policies could provide much-needed demand signals. As congressional efforts for permanent nationwide E15 continue amid ongoing debates and missed deadlines, Wiesemeyer remains optimistic that progress on year-round access would temper market negatives and bolster farm incomes by harvest time.

Wiesemeyer gave an update on the agricultural economy at the CIRB annual meeting. Learn more in this interview.
Jim Wiesemeyer, Informa Economics (18:29)

2026 CIRB Annual Meeting Photo Album

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

US Corn Growers Meet with EU Ethanol Interests

Cindy Zimmerman

NCGA President Jed Bower answers questions about the corn crop during a meeting in Spain

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) leaders recently traveled to the European Union (EU) with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) to meet with major end-users and handlers of U.S. ethanol and feed grains.

The group included NCGA President Jed Bower, NCGA Chairman Kenny Hartman, NCGA CEO Neil Caske,; and NCGA First Vice President Matt Frostic who were able to offer detailed perspectives from the position of U.S. corn farmers. 

The delegation began its journey in Spain for a meeting with Vertex, a leading ethanol producer in Spain and France which began using U.S. corn at one of its plants, confirming a higher ethanol yield compared to corn of other origins.

Next, the group attended a roundtable with CESFAC, a non-profit organization representing the Spanish compound feed industry, and other key stakeholders from across the Spanish feed sector, including importers, traders, end-users of corn and corn co-products and industry association leaders.

Attendees spoke about demand for U.S. grains in the country and Council staff presented the results of its 2025/2026 Corn Harvest Quality Report to bring importers the latest information about U.S. grain quality, nutritional constitution and added value in feed diets.

The next stop on the agenda was The Netherlands for a visit to one of the major regional liquid chemical storage providers at the Port of Rotterdam to understand the supply chain and the logistical process of exporting U.S. ethanol into the EU. Later, the team met with Alco Group, the largest bioethanol plant in the EU, that produces more than 171 million gallons each year.

Finally, the group traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark to visit Maersk’s headquarters. Maersk is the world’s second largest shipping company and is exploring the possibility of incorporating ethanol as a marine fuel for its fleet.

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