Hope for E15 Legislation Remains Alive

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Now that Congress is back in session after a two week break in the middle of not being able to fund the Department of Homeland Security, the ethanol industry remains optimistic that a chance remains for nationwide E15 legislation to cross the finish line before the end of the year.

The Renewable Fuels Association is keeping the issue front and center offering a wealth of information to remind lawmakers, ethanol advocates, media, and others about the importance of the 15 percent ethanol blend.

“Nearly two months have passed since the House E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council’s deadline for introducing legislation that would permanently allow nationwide, year-round sale of E15,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “With the House and Senate now back in session, and with gasoline prices hovering near record highs, we are again calling on Congress to honor its commitments and quickly adopt legislation providing year-round access to lower-cost E15. The stakes have never been higher for America’s farmers, who are facing the worst economic conditions in nearly 50 years, and for America’s working families, who have seen prices at the pump surge by over $1 per gallon in the last month.”

A member of the rural council, Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), told Brownfield this week that a deal has been ready for a month now but other issues have taken priority.

“I can’t tell you exactly when we’re going to get E15 done, but we are going to get E15 done,” Johnson said. “But even without E15, I just still think Americans understand why they should be worrying more about what energy in a cornfield looks like than worrying about what energy in an oil field looks like. You don’t have to have a closed Straits of Hormuz to understand why the American farmer is a lot more responsible partner.”

RFA’s Cooper said in the latest Ethanol Report podcast that they remain optimistic. “If there was ever a time to get this done, it is right now. Farmers are struggling. Consumers are struggling with higher prices at the pump. We all know what’s happening in the Strait of Hormuz or not happening. So, the stars have aligned to get E15 done,” he said. “Whether it’s legislation providing emergency assistance to farmers, whether it is a supplemental military funding package for what’s happening in Iran, there will be, we think, several bites at the apple that would be appropriate and create an opening to attach this E-15 legislation. So that’s our hope. We haven’t given up.”

RFA offers a number of recently updated resources to help E15 advocates make the case for passage of the legislation, including FAQs, infographics, white papers, analyses, press releases, polls, and more.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

2025/26 Ethanol Exports Already Hit One Billion Gallons

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

USGBC Chart – click for larger image

U.S. ethanol exports for the first half of the current marketing year (MY) 2025/2026 now total more than one billion gallons and are up 13% year over year, which is on track to exceed last year’s record of 2.1 billion gallons, according to a recent USDA data update reported by U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC).

“Policy changes and removals of trade barriers have improved U.S. ethanol’s market competitiveness in several countries in the last year and continued advancements in other applications like marine fuel and sustainable aviation fuel will keep demand high into the future,” said Alicia Koch, USGBC director of global ethanol export development.

Canada continues to be the top market for U.S. ethanol, importing 432 million gallons so far, up nearly 17 percent from last year, as the European Union has almost doubled its imports to 252 million gallons, and Japan has increased its imports by nearly 14 percent.

Other notable changes from the recent data report include Brazil’s return as one of U.S. ethanol’s largest customers, up 350 percent to 78 million gallons imported. Nigeria also saw steady growth, at 16 percent and totaling 20 million gallons, emphasizing its role as a front-runner for ethanol adoption in the region.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, USGC

RFA Provides Comments on USDA Data and Analysis

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The Renewable Fuels Association provided comments this week to a USDA request for information on opportunities, challenges, and emerging areas in statistical data, analysis, and research, endorsing the agency’s data, analysis and research as the “gold standard” among international statistical agencies for agriculture.

“USDA data are critical to the efficient functioning of U.S. and global commodities markets, and the department plays a vital role in ensuring that objective, fact-based information is available to policymakers,” wrote RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman. “Budget and staffing levels should be maintained at a level sufficient to ensure that USDA is able to continue providing key statistical data and information needed by market participants and policymakers, even if other USDA priorities are re-examined. At the same time, areas of coverage should evolve over time, and process improvements should be made periodically for data collection and dissemination.”

Richman also noted that USDA data and reports are used by the Environmental Protection Agency in its process for establishing the volume obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard and he provided specific feedback to USDA on potential improvements, particularly regarding how data can be accessed online.

Read the comments here.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, USDA

ACE Seeking Speaker Abstracts for Annual Conference

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is now accepting presentation abstracts for its 2026 annual conference, August 19–21 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

ACE is seeking speakers to deliver presentations and remarks that resonate with ethanol producers and key stakeholders across the value chain. Speaking opportunities are available during general sessions on the mornings of August 20 and 21, as well as breakout sessions on the afternoon of August 20. General sessions will feature a mix of individual presentations and panel discussions, while breakout sessions will include panels of speakers organized across three primary tracks: Carbon, Leadership & Management, and Technology.

“The ACE Conference is a premier platform for sharing ideas, showcasing innovation, and addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing our industry,” said Katie Muckenhirn, ACE Vice President of Public Affairs. “We encourage thought leaders from across the ethanol industry to submit proposals that will help drive meaningful conversations and practical solutions for our members.”

Click here to submit a presentation abstract by Friday, April 24, 2026.

ACE, ACE Ethanol Conference, Ethanol

Ethanol Exports Still Strong in February

Cindy Zimmerman

Despite a one percent drop from January, U.S. ethanol exports remained strong in February at nearly 210 million gallons (mg), which is 36 percent higher than year-ago levels, according to the latest Renewable Fuels Association Trade Monitor report.

More than half of February shipments went to Canada and the European Union, with the balance distributed across nine other countries. Canada remained the top overall destination, even as exports eased 12% to a 10-month low of 61.2 mg, and it accounted for 70% of all denatured fuel ethanol shipments. The European Union continued to lead as the largest market for undenatured fuel ethanol. Total ethanol exports to the European Union surged 42% to a record 49.8 mg, led by the Netherlands. Exports to India jumped 120% to a three-month high of 26.7 mg. Brazil fell 30% from January to 25.7 mg; even so, U.S. exports to Brazil in just the first two months of 2026 already exceed Brazil’s full-year 2025 imports by 25%. Rounding out the top markets were Colombia (10.0 mg, -17%), the United Kingdom (9.3 mg, +17%), South Korea (6.9 mg, -2%), Mexico (6.5 mg, +57%), the Philippines (5.9 mg, -48%), and Peru (5.8 mg, up fourfold). Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports totaled 421.9 mg, 25% ahead of the same period last year.

There were minimal ethanol imports in February, with just 138,663 gallons arriving from Brazil and Canada. Total imports for the year remain below 200,000 gallons.

Meanwhile, U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) dropped nine percent from January to 919,855 metric tons (mt), fueled by a 23% drop in shipments to top market Mexico. However, year-to-date DDGS exports reached 1.93 million mt, 16% above the same period last year.

South Korea increased 2% to 123,571 mt, while Indonesia rose 11% to 101,868 mt. Colombia slipped 19% from a record high to 84,597 mt. Vietnam dipped 1% to 70,438 mt, its lowest shipment volume in a year. Other major markets included Canada (46,460 mt, -14%), Turkey (45,245 mt, -24%), the European Union (40,639 mt, +17%), Morocco (40,233 mt, +63%), and Japan (26,250 mt, -12%). The remaining one-third of February shipments was spread across 27 additional countries.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Stakeholders Submit Comments on 45Z Regs

Cindy Zimmerman

Industry stakeholders submitted comments this week to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service regarding proposed rules on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

The proposed regulations, released on February 3, provide guidance on the determination of clean fuel production credits, emissions rates, and certification and registration requirements. The proposal would extend the credit to Dec. 31, 2029, limit feedstocks to those grown or produced in North America, and eliminate the special rate for sustainable aviation fuel, among other stipulations.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the proposal makes “meaningful progress” in developing rules implementing tax credit, but the top priority for Treasury should be releasing an updated 45ZCF-GREET model as soon as possible.

“The technology-neutral structure of 45Z is a crucial feature, allowing clean fuel producers to pursue the most economically efficient and practical pathways for reducing emissions and boosting domestic energy production,” wrote Cooper in RFA’s comments to Treasury. “However, as currently drafted, certain aspects of the proposal introduce inconsistencies and implementation challenges that may limit participation, create unintended market impacts, and reduce the near-term effectiveness of the program.”

In addition to updating 45ZCF-GREET model, RFA says agencies should work with USDA to finalize and integrate workable, equitable, and science-based technical guidelines for regenerative agriculture feedstocks and an updated Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator (FD-CIC). Treasury should adopt a more flexible Provisional Emissions Rate process that allows for efficient characterization of new technologies and incremental emissions-reducing improvements at existing clean fuel facilities, as well as clarifying certain rules, such as the interaction of “undenatured fuel ethanol” and “denatured fuel ethanol” for 45Z credit generation, and that only transportation and industrial fuels are eligible for the credit.

In comments from the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), CEO Brian Jennings stressed the significant financial pressure facing rural America and that enabling farmers and producers to benefit from low-carbon practices is critical to unlocking the full value of the 45Z credit.

“Since farming practices represent about half of ethanol’s carbon intensity, clean fuel producers must have the opportunity to monetize low-carbon farming practices such as reduced tillage or precision fertilizer use to fully unlock the value of 45Z,” said Jennings. “If Treasury allows low-carbon farming practices to qualify towards emissions rates it could mean billions of dollars annually for clean fuel producers and farmers, providing a market-based opportunity to dramatically increase rural and farm income.”

ACE also noted the importance of keeping 45ZCF-GREET model and FD-CIC updated with the latest science and real-world data supported through activities such as the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) activity being led by ACE and specifically designed to address information gaps regarding the low-carbon benefits of farming practices to help improve the accuracy of modeling tools.

“We have strongly recommended updates to FD-CIC values for low-carbon farming practices by incorporating the best available science and results from real-world activities, so we are encouraged Treasury expects to make these updates as part of future iterations of the 45ZCF-GREET.”

In their comments to Treasury, fuel retailer organizations NATSO, NACS and SIGMA, which represent 90 percent of fuel sold at retail, continue to urge Congress to reinstate the Biodiesel Blenders’ Tax Credit to help stabilize fuel supplies and help lower prices for consumers, claiming that the 45Z tax credit is not helpful.

“The real-world implications on American energy supplies and the price that consumers pay at the pump should serve as the regulatory North Star of biofuel policy…“The ‘45Z’ Credit is not alleviating these affordability challenges for American consumers and businesses. It has not helped American consumers by lowering fuel prices and it has not helped American farmers by increasing sales of corn or soybeans used to produce renewable fuels.”

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

IRFA Advocates for Biodiesel in Clean School Bus Program

Cindy Zimmerman

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) recently submitted comments in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) request for information on the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. The EPA sought feedback on a broad range of fuel options that school buses could use to reduce emissions, including biofuels, natural gas, and hydrogen, in their revamping of the program.

In its comments, IRFA strongly recommended allocating substantial resources towards biodiesel infrastructure to enable the use of B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel) or higher blends, engine modification technologies for buses to use blends as high as B100, and incentivizing the purchase of biodiesel to allow school districts to try it in their fleets.

IRFA participated in a study with Humboldt Community School District in Iowa to evaluate the benefits of switching its fleet from conventional diesel to B11. The study found a 3.4% increase in fuel economy, an 11.2% decrease in fuel burned for DPF regeneration, and consistent results when more buses in the fleet were switched to biodiesel.

“IRFA recommends that EPA allocate CSB grant funds toward helping “buy down” higher biodiesel blends for participating school districts. They may be interested and willing to make the switch to blends such as B20, but making any kind of change can be a risky decision, especially for districts with limited budgets. As demonstrated by the Humboldt pilot study, school districts that are incentivized to compare biodiesel blends with conventional diesel will see benefits, making continued adoption more likely.”

Biodiesel, Electric Vehicles, Iowa RFA

E15 Sales Hit Records as Push Continues for Legislation

Cindy Zimmerman

According to a Renewable Fuels Association analysis, sales of 15 percent ethanol blended gasoline hit a record 1.52 billion gallons in 2025, an increase of 23 percent over 2024, despite the continued ban on E15 in many states during the summer requiring federal waivers to allow sales for the past several years.

Data released by state agencies in Minnesota and Iowa show significant increased sales per station and accelerated growth in the number of stations offering E15. Minnesota and Iowa are the only two states for which reliable government data exist for E15 sales volumes.

Reported sales of E15 surged 60 percent in Iowa to more than 410 million gallons thanks to the state’s E15 Access Standard, which required most retailers to make the fuel available to consumers by the beginning of this year.

While a significant number of stations that sell E15 and other midlevel blends of ethanol in Minnesota are not required to report their volumes to the Department of Commerce, E15 has accounted for 99 percent of midlevel blend sales reported in Minnesota in recent years. Multiplying this share by DOC’s estimate of total midlevel blend sales implies that 169 million gallons of E15 were sold in the state last year.

Across the United States, RFA estimates that the number of stations offering E15 rose to 4,600 by the end of 2025, an increase of 900 from the end of 2024, which is equal to the combined increase over the prior two years.

Total U.S. E15 sales can be estimated using the data for Iowa and Minnesota, given that the two states account for more than a third of U.S. stations offering E15. Average annual E15 sales per reporting station across the states have centered around 365,000 gallons over the last five years.

Multiplying the number of stations selling E15 in the U.S. by the average of reported sales per station in Iowa and Minnesota, RFA estimates that nationwide E15 sales increased to a record 1.52 billion gallons in 2025, compared to 1.24 billion gallons a year earlier.

Meanwhile, despite the lack of action on E15 in Congress, groups continue to push for legislation. Rural Voices USA is targeting Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin in a digital and billboard ad campaign to “Stop the Stall” in Congress, noting those states are among the hardest hit with the worst ag economy in decades.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

Ethanol Report on EPA Announcements

Cindy Zimmerman

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 podcast, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper discusses the actions by the administration and why the industry is still pressing for permanent nationwide E15 to be passed by Congress yet this year.

Ethanol Report 4-1-26 26:26

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, E15, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA, RFS

Illinois Reaches B20 Milestone

Cindy Zimmerman

Effective today, April 1, biodiesel blend incentive requirements will increase from B17 to B20 in Illinois, marking the final step in the implementation of Illinois’ B20 incentive passed by the state legislature in 2022.

According to the Illinois Soybean Association, this means every gallon of diesel that contains 20% biodiesel will be exempt from 6.25% sales taxes. There is an 11% percent blend rate during the winter months.

While the biodiesel industry overall saw a decrease in use by 924 million gallons or 45% last year (according to U.S. Department of Energy data), Illinois saw an increase of biodiesel use of 10 million gallons or 5%, due to the incentive (according to Illinois Department of Revenue data).

Clean Fuels Alliance America Director of State Governmental Affairs Jeff Earl said the Illinois incentive is a clear example of how consistent state policy can accelerate clean fuel use while delivering real economic benefits. “Illinois has created a model that supports farmers, strengthens fuel markets and improves air quality all at the same time,” said Earl. “This B20 milestone is not just a win for clean fuels; it’s a win for rural communities, the environment and energy security.”

Biodiesel, Clean Fuels Alliance