Former Ag Leaders Again Urge Congress to Help Farmers

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A group of former agricultural industry leaders again sent a letter to Congressional leaders this week asking for immediate action to address the growing crisis in American agriculture.

The letter was a follow-up to one sent in February by 27 past leaders of farm, commodity and biofuels organizations. This letter had nearly 20 more signatories.

In the five months since many of us wrote to share our concerns, the pressures facing farmers and ranchers have intensified dramatically in ways that jeopardize the entire U.S. ag economy—now and in the future. The limited response by Congress does not match the extent and severity of the difficulties farmers are encountering every day.

The letter outlines the crisis facing America farmers and how it has been exacerbated this year by actions such as the conflict in Iran and widespread use of tariffs as a trade policy by the Administration, in addition to the inability of Congress to pass legislation supporting agriculture that could help, such as year-round E15.

In spite of the increase in gas prices caused by the Iran war, Congress still has not passed legislation authorizing year-round use of E-15. Studies have shown that E-15 could save consumers as much as 25 cents per gallon. By not passing the E-15 bill, Congress has
missed the opportunity to give consumers much-needed relief at the pump and farmers a much-needed boost in demand for the single most important value-added market in a generation.

The main request in the letter is that Congress hold hearings on the farm crisis. “More than ever before, Congress needs to seek out and listen to the hardships American farmers are facing, seriously engage with farmers on the causes and solutions, and exercise bipartisan oversight and legislative authority to reverse the decline and restore our nation’s agricultural economy.”

The letter was signed by a number of past ethanol industry leaders, including former Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen, and former RFA chairman and Al-Corn Clean Fuels CEO Randy Doyal.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Farming

ACE Conference to Focus on Fueling Freedom

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The upcoming American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 39th annual conference, taking place August 19-21 in Minneapolis, will focus on the theme of “Fueling Freedom” – building on America’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2026 and highlighting how ethanol expands fuel choice, relieves pain at the pump, boosts rural economies, and strengthens U.S. energy security.

ACE CEO Brian Jennings says the conference will feature two days of speakers and panels focusing on key issues for the ethanol industry, particularly the fight for nationwide, year-round E15, and they are pleased to have Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) as their congressional keynoter this year.

“Congresswoman Fischbach was one of the pivotal players in the House of Representatives in shepherding the E-15 bill through the House in in a bipartisan fashion,” said Jennings. “Her leadership, particularly on the House Rules Committee, was really essential to paving the way to get a vote on that bill. As we continue to, you know, have challenges moving that in the Senate, we want to hear from her and thank her for the work that she did on the House side to to get that vote and to move that legislation.”

The conference will also feature addresses by oil market analyst Tom Kloza, and Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC). In addition, Jennings says they will have a special track of breakout panels this year on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever had a track specific to a federal tax credit, but there’s so much interest in the 45Z credit, ethanol plants are making good on applying for that credit, obtaining that credit right now, but there’s still more we need to learn from Treasury about how that credit will work. And so we have a whole breakout track dedicated to really diving into and understanding the ins and outs of the 45Z tax credit from a wide range of experts,” said Jennings.

In addition to previewing the conference, Jennings comments on the status of the 45Z tax credit and the efforts to get E15 legislation through the Senate in this interview:
ACE annual conference preview 21:23

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Hawaii Becomes Fifth State with Clean Fuel Standard

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Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signs Clean Fuel Standard

Hawaii became the fifth state to have a clean fuel standard last week when Governor Josh Green signed legislation designed to cut the carbon intensity of the Aloha State’s transportation fuels.

Under the new law, the state will develop regulations to reduce transportation emissions by 10% from 2019 levels by 2035 and no less than 50% by 2045. The program rules must be adopted by Jan. 1, 2028, with implementation beginning Jan. 1, 2029.

According to Clean Fuels Alliance America, the new law will help drive demand and open a new market for biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel while spurring economic opportunity and improving the health of its citizens.

“As a native of Hawaii, I am thrilled by the state’s leadership in passing the Clean Fuel Standard,” said Cory-Ann Wind, Director of State Regulatory Affairs for Clean Fuels. “It marks a pivotal moment in Hawaii’s commitment to a sustainable future. Cleaner fuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel will play a significant role in helping Hawaii reach its climate goals.”

Hawaii joins California, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico in implementing a clean fuel standard.

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RFA Welcomes Regulatory Affairs Director

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RFA Regulatory Affairs Director Maddie Jenks

The Renewable Fuels Association welcomes Maddie Jenks as Director of Regulatory Affairs, a role focused on developing and implementing regulatory strategies that support the association’s mission to expand markets for American-made ethanol. In this role, Jenks will monitor and analyze regulatory proposals and guidance, lead efforts to engage with federal and state agencies to advance industry priorities, and assist member companies in understanding regulatory compliance requirements.

Prior to joining RFA, Jenks worked for Pilot Company, where she managed a portfolio of federal and state energy policy issues affecting transportation fuels and the travel center industry. At Pilot, Jenks developed advocacy strategies, analyzed legislative and regulatory proposals, coordinated engagement with trade associations and industry partners, and advised company leadership on policy and regulatory issues related to renewable fuels, transportation energy, tax incentives, and infrastructure.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Renewable Fuels Association, RFA

RFA Pleased with USTR Action on Brazil

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer took final action this week under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 by imposing a 25% tariff on certain goods of Brazil, including ethanol.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper welcomed the action. “Over the past several years, Brazil has gone out of its way to block lower-cost U.S. ethanol through a complicated framework of tariffs and marketplace barriers,” said Cooper. “After Brazil rebuffed numerous attempts by the U.S. to negotiate a return to free and fair ethanol trade between our two nations, our leaders were left with no choice but to establish reciprocal treatment. It is our sincere hope that this action will motivate Brazil to come back to the negotiating table for good-faith discussions on improving ethanol trade between our two countries.”

The action follows a yearlong investigation by USTR that determined that certain Brazilian trade measures related to various goods and services, including ethanol market access, “are unreasonable and burden or restrict the commerce of American farmers, workers, innovators, and exporters.” The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) held two public hearings, received over 360 public comments, and negotiated intensively with the Government of Brazil to seek resolution of U.S. concerns.

RFA’s Ed Hubbard

During a hearing on July 6, RFA General Counsel and Vice President, Government Affairs Ed Hubbard presented testimony on the impacts of Brazil’s implementation of tariffs on U.S. ethanol in 2017.

“Prior to the implementation of punitive trade barriers, Brazil and the United States enjoyed an open and efficient two-way trading relationship in ethanol, which resulted in our two nations experiencing a dramatic increase in bilateral ethanol trade,” said Hubbard. “As a result of this newly applied tariff regime, the value of U.S. fuel ethanol exports to Brazil fell to zero in 2023, just $43 million in 2024 and $68 million in 2025.”

Hubbard also pointed to Brazil’s implementation of its “RenovaBio” national biofuels policy, which is designed to reduce the carbon intensity of Brazil’s transportation fuel matrix, as another example of Brazil’s discriminatory trade practices. The RenovaBio program is expected to generate 5 billion gallons of new biofuel demand in Brazil through 2030. However, after five years of implementation, not a single U.S. ethanol plant has received a full certification from the Brazilian government to generate credits under the RenovaBio program.

Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports

Vietnam Growing as Market for U.S. Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Vietnam has implemented a nationwide E10 mandate

Vietnam is growing as a market for U.S. agricultural products, including ethanol, according to a new report from USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service.

The United States was the largest supplier of ethanol to Vietnam last year at $4.3 million, with a market share of 58 percent. This year, the International Energy Agency forecasts Vietnam to consume around 2.9 billion gallons of ethanol and expects consumption to continue growing throughout the decade.

Vietnam has expanded its ethanol blending rate to 10 percent, increasing demand for ethanol for on-road fuel use. Previously, Vietnam had a 5 percent ethanol blend rate mandated for only one grade of gasoline. On June 1, 2026, Vietnam successfully began implementing a national requirement that all 95-octane unleaded gasoline must contain 10 percent ethanol (E10). This development will most likely further boost ethanol demand. In advance of the E10 ethanol mandate, Vietnam announced the unilateral reduction of most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs on ethanol from 10 to 5 percent.

In addition, Vietnam is a growing market for the ethanol co-product distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). U.S. exports of DDGS in 2025 were $272 million, up four percent from 2024. That is expected to increase this year as Vietnamese feed companies and U.S. private companies signed two memoranda of understanding in June 2025, committing to purchase 900,000 metric tons of U.S. corn and 250,000 metric tons of U.S. DDGS.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Trade, USDA

ACE Releases Annual Conference Agenda

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has released its preliminary agenda for the upcoming 39th annual ACE Conference, August 19-21 in Minneapolis.

The agenda features several key speakers, including U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), oil market analyst Tom Kloza, and Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC). Representative Fischbach and Tom Kloza will be featured during the general session on Thursday, August 20.

“Biofuels are essential to the strength of our rural economy, providing market stability for our hardworking farmers, lowering costs for families at the pump, and reinforcing American energy independence,” said Congresswoman Fischbach. “I look forward to joining the American Coalition for Ethanol at this year’s annual conference to discuss how we can continue to advance and protect our homegrown energy priorities.”

Additional speakers and session details will be added in the weeks ahead. The event is being held at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center and reservations for the room block must be received by July 21. Early bird registration discounts end July 17.

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New Poll Shows Record Voter Support for E15

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the Renewable Fuels Association will be on Capitol Hill this week touting new poll numbers showing a record percentage of registered voters support expanding the availability of E15 fuel and allowing its sale year-round. The latest survey conducted by Morning Consult for the Renewable Fuels Association finds nearly 75 percent of those polled support expanding the availability of the lower-cost ethanol fuel blend and over 70 percent back federal legislation allowing year-round sales. RFA has polled voter opinions on E15 every quarter for the past several years, and the June results represent new record highs for E15 support.

“The message from voters is unmistakable: Americans want lower-cost options at the pump, and they see E15 as part of the solution,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The Senate has a clear opportunity to deliver what voters want by making E15 available year-round, nationwide. The House has already passed year-round E15 legislation, and President Trump has repeatedly called on Congress to make this a priority. Now, it’s time to finish the job of tearing down outdated regulatory barriers and giving families access to a lower-cost, cleaner-burning fuel option when they need it most.”

Cooper noted that E15 is supported strongly by registered voters in both major parties who responded to the poll. Expanding E15 availability is supported by 75 percent of Republicans and 77 percent of Democrats, and year-round E15 legislation is backed by 73 percent in both parties.

RFA recently released additional Morning Consult poll results showing a record 74 percent of registered voters support the Renewable Fuel Standard, with just 12 percent opposed to the policy, the highest level of support for the RFS in 10 years of quarterly polling by RFA.

Cooper says it shows that Americans are paying attention to the need for energy security. “When you look at the situation in the Middle East, when you look at what’s going on in Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, high gas prices, near record prices at the pump. I think all of that has brought the concept or the idea of energy independence and energy security back into the spotlight,” said Cooper in the latest Ethanol Report podcast. “When events halfway around the world can still influence pump prices overnight the way that they have the last few months, we still have work to do. And it’s clear that Americans, everyday American voters, see ethanol and renewable fuels as a way to enhance our energy security and help insulate us from those sorts of incidents.”

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

Ethanol Exports Up in May

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. ethanol exports increased 11% in May from April’s sharp downturn as shipments strengthened across most major markets, according to the latest export update from the Renewable Fuels Association. Ethanol exports totaled 189.7 million gallons (mg) in May, with Canada remaining the top destination as exports to that country were up 18% to a six-month high of 76.3 mg.

Exports to the European Union, led by the Netherlands, increased 15% to 39.1 mg, continuing to underpin demand for undenatured ethanol. Together, Canada and the EU accounted for 61% of total May exports. Nigeria imported 12.7 mg—its largest monthly volume of U.S. ethanol since December 2021—while exports to Colombia surged 72% to 10.9 mg. In contrast, shipments to South Korea fell 38% to 10.1 mg, and exports to the United Kingdom slipped 4% to 9.9 mg. Exports to Vietnam more than quadrupled to 7.7 mg, while exports to the Philippines declined 34% to 7.3 mg. Notably, exports to both Brazil and India remained essentially zero. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 1.00 billion gallons, running 11% ahead of the same period last year.

Meanwhile, fuel ethanol imports reached their highest monthly volume since March 2025, totaling 256,801 gallons in May, with Brazil supplying 70% and Canada accounting for the remaining 30%. More than doubling for the first five months of 2026, total fuel ethanol imports still stand at just 462,120 gallons for the year.

May U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) rose 6% to 1.08 million metric tons (mt), reflecting higher shipments across most major export markets. Shipments to Mexico increased by 2%, while exports to South Korea were upu 14% and exports to the European Union surged by 64%. So far this year, DDGS exports reached 5.06 million mt, up 14% from the same period in 2025.

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

E85 Wholesale Prices Remain Low

Cindy Zimmerman

Average regular gas prices remain at $3.80 per gallon nationwide, while the cost of E85 is averaging $2.69, which is still higher than it should be, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, which reports wholesale prices as low as 10 cents a gallon for E85 in the state.

Executive Director Monte Shaw says the price difference in Iowa between wholesale and retail E85 prices remains historically wide. “As a trade association, we never tell anyone how to price a product at any point in the supply chain but in 27 years I’ve never seen the wholesale-to-retail price spread as large as it is for E85 in Iowa right now. A reasonable person would assume that with E85 at 10 cents wholesale, the retail prices would be the best fuel bargain ever. But we’re not seeing that with a few, very rare exceptions.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Associations (IRFA) E85 Wholesale Price Listing Program is available here.

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