ACE Conference 2026

Farm Bill with E15 Stalls in Senate Ag Committee

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Senate Ag Committee farm bill markup meeting

The Senate Agriculture Committee recessed on Thursday after working on the farm bill markup for over three hours and hitting a stalemate with Democrats demanding that Republicans delay a requirement that states share the cost of providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by two years, rejecting a one year delay compromise.

“We’re holding hostage the people that were charged to help,” said Committee Chairman Chairman John Boozman (R-AR). “This is not about SNAP recipients. This is about the states with very, very high error rates. We’re holding hostage our farm community. And when you take livestock out of it, this is one of the poorest industries right now in America. And it’s not just farmers and ranchers. It’s rural America. And so we’re charged to help them. And right now we’re not able to do that because of this.”
Senate ag farm bill markup - Boozman 1:45

Sen. Boozman chose to recess the committee rather than adjourn and come back in September to reconsider. Ranking member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) issued a statement that she is committed to continuing to work with Chairman Boozman to get the bill done. “There are good things in it for our farmers and ranchers, including year-round E-15, a provision I have long led on,” said Klobuchar. “Our members are simply asking for the two-year delay (on the SNAP requirement) so all states will be on the same footing in working to reduce their error rates.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley expressed his frustration at the lack of bipartisanship on the agriculture committee. “I’ve been on the Agriculture Committee since way back 1992. During that time, I’ve participated in seven different five-year farm bills. All of them were very bipartisan. It’s a shame that Democrats will not join us in the bill this year,” said Grassley. Instead, the Democrats on the committee are using our farmers as a sacrificial lamb in an attempt to score political points.”
Senate ag farm bill markup - Grassley 1:52

An amendment was put forward in the committee by Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) offering a simplified version of the E15 language included in the farm bill. “It would remove the many complicated exemptions that are included in the committee bill, and it would also also reduce the cost of the committee’s bill by roughly $2 billion,” said Smith.

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), who sponsored the original Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to allow year-round sales of E15, opposed Sen. Smith’s amendment as “disingenuous.”

“It does not have the votes to pass the Senate. It does not have the votes to pass the House. We have tried it before. It has become nothing more than a messaging bill and our farmers don’t need another messaging exercise,” said Fischer. The chairman ultimately tabled the amendment since it is contrary to the existing E15 language in the bill that was already approved by the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Listen to the discussion below:
Senate ag farm bill markup - E15 11:03

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Ethanol and DDGS Exports Grow in June

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

U.S. ethanol exports grew by nine percent in June and exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS) gained two percent, both driven by stronger shipments to several leading markets, according to the latest Trade Monitor report from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

Canada remained the leading destination for denatured fuel ethanol, with total exports edging up 2% to 78.0 mg. Exports to the European Union—led by the Netherlands—surged 56% to 61.1 mg, continuing to reinforce strong demand for undenatured ethanol. Together, Canada and the EU accounted for more than two-thirds of total U.S. ethanol exports during the month. Other major destinations included Colombia at 18.9 mg (+74% from May), the United Kingdom at 14.9 mg (+51%), and Mexico at 7.5 mg (+112%). Meanwhile, exports to both Brazil and India remained essentially nonexistent. Through the first half of 2026, U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.21 billion gallons, running 12% ahead of the same period last year.

Meanwhile, DDGS exports to Mexico were up 10%, while shipments to Indonesia surged 22% to a record 166,925 mt and exports to Vietnam rose 19% to 134,284 mt, approaching a three-year high. Offsetting some of those gains, exports to South Korea declined 20% to 110,555 mt.

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Ethanol Blend Rate Surges to Record High

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The ethanol blend rate in U.S. gasoline now stands at its highest in history, driven in part by the conflict in Iran improving the cost advantage for the renewable fuel, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration analyzed by Renewable Fuels Association Chief Economist Scott Richman.

The average ethanol content of gasoline sold in the U.S. surged to a record 11.29% in May, as petroleum prices hit their highest monthly averages of the Iran war, and for the 12 months through May, the ethanol blend rate in gasoline rose to 10.57%, the highest annual share ever.

The increase was spurred by compelling ethanol blending economics. Ethanol was priced at a discount to gasoline blendstock of nearly $1.50 per gallon on average in May, based on futures contracts. Additionally, the price of renewable identification numbers (RINs), credits which are used for compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard, strengthened this spring and surpassed the price of ethanol for the first time ever. That is, since each gallon of denatured ethanol is sold with a RIN attached, the net price of the physical ethanol has effectively been negative.

The vast majority of gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10% ethanol, a blend known as E10. During May, the ethanol content in E10 provided a fuel cost savings of $0.14 per gallon of finished gasoline, along with $0.21 of RIN value to the blender. In gasoline containing 15% ethanol, known as E15, the fuel cost savings was $0.21 per gallon, and the RIN value was $0.31.

The presence of ethanol has mitigated the increase in gasoline prices for all drivers. Those who have access to E15 in their areas have saved even more, as pump prices of E15 have typically been $0.20 to $0.40 per gallon lower than regular unleaded gasoline. It is clear from the increase in the national average blend rate to 11.29% that blenders, retailers, and consumers have responded to these compelling economics.

Read more from RFA

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RFA Disappointed with EPA SRE Approvals

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The Environmental Protection Agency this week announced its decisions on six individual small refinery exemption petitions from four refineries seeking an exemption from their Renewable Fuel Standard obligations for the 2023 and 2024 compliance years, granting full (100 percent) exemptions to one petition, partial (50 percent) exemptions to two petitions, and determining three petitions to be ineligible.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the approved exemptions will result in 160 million RINs being returned to the market, undermining the 2026 renewable volume obligations by the same amount.

“We fail to see any justification at all for any small refinery exemptions—especially at a time of record refining margins and sky-high profits,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “And we continue to believe the DOE matrix that EPA relies upon is fundamentally flawed and out of touch with current market conditions. Refiners, both large and small, pass their RIN costs along to buyers of refined fuels at the terminal rack and there is no evidence of any refinery experiencing disproportionate economic hardship due to the RFS. That said, we commend EPA for throwing out several petitions that were clearly ineligible.”

Cooper notes that small refiners are “raking in record profits, as operating margins have vaulted to record heights since the beginning of the war in Iran.”

One of the refineries that received a partial exemption is owned by HF Sinclair, which recently reported its refining segment income before interest and income taxes was $877 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $166 million for the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted refinery gross margin was $25.95 per produced barrel sold, a 57% increase compared to $16.50 for the second quarter of 2025.

The three petitions that were determined to be ineligible were also HF Sinclair refineries. These include HF Sinclair’s Artesia, New Mexico, refinery (for both 2023 and 2024, due to exceeding the 75,000 bpd threshold) and its Parco (Sinclair, Wyoming) refinery for 2024.

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Survey Shows Strong Support for Year-round E15 in Minnesota

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A new Morning Consult survey for the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association shows strong, bipartisan support for ethanol, E15 and permanent year-round access to E15 (Unleaded 88) in the North Star State.

The survey of 950 Minnesota adults found that 68% support selling E15 year-round on a permanent basis, with majority support from Democrats, Republicans and independents. After respondents learned more about ethanol and E15, support for year-round E15 increased to 76%.

“These findings confirm what we have seen and heard across the state this summer: E15 is widely supported because it gives drivers a lower-cost option, supports Minnesota farmers, improves air quality, and strengthens homegrown energy,” said Brian Werner, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. “At a time when affordability remains a top concern for families, year-round access to E15 is a practical solution that unites voters across party lines.”

The survey also found that 57% of Minnesotans view E15 favorably, and half of respondents say they would be more likely to support an elected official who works to expand access to the fuel. Messages that highlighted potential benefits such as cleaner air, support for Minnesota farmers, and American energy independence tended to resonate most with respondents. The findings also point to a clear opportunity for education, as many Minnesotans are open to E15 but still have questions about what it is and whether their vehicle can use it.

E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News

CARB Schedules Hearing on E15

Cindy Zimmerman

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has scheduled a public hearing for September 24 to consider approving the technical standards necessary to finally get E15 (15% ethanol fuel) at the pump, nearly a year after the state legislature unanimously passed legislation allowing its sale.

On October 2 last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation which “was effective upon enactment and immediately allowed blends of gasoline containing 10.5% to 15% ethanol (E15) by volume to be sold in the State for use as a transportation fuel.” However, that has not happened yet.

“California drivers, unfortunately, for the last nine months or more have missed out on the savings that they could have had with E15,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The legislature passed it unanimously. The governor signed it into law. Where is this fuel? And people are starting to pay attention…So hopefully we’re going to have a breakthrough in California on E15 soon, in the weeks or months ahead so that fuel can start flowing into that market.”

Cooper noted that the state Fire Marshall has thrown up one hurdle in particular and raised concerns about equipment compatibility. “And that’s been enough to slow the whole thing way down. So we’re working, trying to work through that as quickly as possible,” said Cooper.

The public comment period for CARB’s regulatory action will begin on July 31.

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

Fueling Agriculture Report Gains Momentum

Cindy Zimmerman

As the biofuels industry continues to press the U.S. Senate for action on E15 legislation, a recent report from U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA), “Fueling Agriculture: Biofuels as the Catalyst”, is getting attention on Capitol Hill and around the country.

Members of Congress are highlighting the report’s findings and its implications for American agriculture. Representatives Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) have all released videos praising the report and its vision for expanding biofuels. In addition, Rep. Johnson joined Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) in penning a recent op-ed published in The Hill which pointed to the report as evidence of the opportunities ahead for American agriculture.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says lawmakers should take a careful look at the study. “I think the message from that study was very sobering and should be a wake up call for policymakers and anyone who’s concerned about the future of agriculture in this country,” said Cooper in a recent Ethanol Report podcast. “Farmers are better at what they do today than ever before and that productivity is just going to continue to increase. So that means we’re going to have larger supplies of farm commodities in the U.S. And then the challenge becomes how do we continue to build markets and grow demand for that product and that increased productivity. And that’s where biofuels comes into play. That study actually says if we just continue along the path we’re on, we’re going to lose 30 million corn acres in the next couple of decades. And that means we’re going to lose family farms and we’re going to lose rural communities that depend on the economic activity of those farms.”

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) also supports the findings of the study. “For the Council, reports like these provide valuable data that can be used to educate our trading partners about the benefits of higher blend rates for renewable fuels, while positioning U.S. farmers to supply a growing share of the approximately 940-billion-gallon global liquid fuel market that includes marine and aviation fuels,” said Alicia Koch, USGBC director of global ethanol export development.

Read more about the report here.

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Former Ag Leaders Again Urge Congress to Help Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

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

Cindy Zimmerman

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

Cindy Zimmerman

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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