U.S. Partners Help Philippines Expand E20 Access

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RFA’s Ed Hubbard (far right) at opening of E20 station in Philippines

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) and member representatives recently joined a USDA Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines to maintain momentum for U.S. exporters of ethanol in that country’s growing economy.

Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ed Hubbard and Eco-Energy Vice President of Global Trade Hagan Rose were among those who took part in the trade mission, which was headlined by the opening of a retail gas station in Manila carrying gasoline blended with 20 percent ethanol (E20).

The Philippines is the U.S.’ largest ethanol trading partner in Southeast Asia, with more than 101 million gallons of U.S. ethanol exported to the country in 2025. The Philippines E10 mandate, that began in 2013, has delivered a win-win outcome for the U.S.-Philippines economic partnership, and total gasoline demand in the country surpassed two billion gallons for the first time last year.

Ethanol production in the Philippines has increased by nearly 450 percent since the inception of the mandate, and U.S. ethanol now accounts for roughly 45 percent of the country’s total ethanol demand. This mutually beneficial trade relationship, forged through ethanol, helps stimulate further investment in the Philippines domestic ethanol industry, as U.S. ethanol imports help lower the average price of ethanol and gasoline in the country.

The Council’s team met with the Ethanol Producers Association of the Philippines (EPAP) afterward to discuss next steps in expanding E20 access to other regions of the country.

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Farm Bill Passes House Without E15

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House Ag Committee Chair Rep. Thompson

The House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 Thursday with a final vote of 224-200 and without a separate bill or an amendment allowing summer sales of E15.

In a statement commending passage of the farm bill, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) attempted to reassure ethanol stakeholders. “I especially want to thank all parties who were involved in the negotiations that allowed the farm bill to proceed to the floor and secure a future vote on year-round E15. Members of the Biofuels Caucus are tireless champions for rural America, and I look forward to joining them May 13 in advancing that important legislation,” said Thompson.

The bill to amend the Clean Air Act and allow uninterrupted E15 sales without waivers (H.R. 1346) was supposed to be considered as part of a package of five bills, including the farm bill, but it was once again set aside over the concerns of a small group of refineries. “As skyrocketing gas prices persist in the U.S., it’s mind-blowing that Congress continues to let a small handful of refiners hold hostage legislation that simply allows retailers to sell lower-cost E15. ACE will keep helping our bipartisan champions in Congress find a path forward,” said American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings.

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Frustration Over E15 in Congress Continues

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Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)

The House of Representatives debate and votes yesterday on a number of actions, including a farm bill and E15, took all day and accomplished little except to kick the can for E15 legislation down the road another two weeks.

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) expressed her frustration at the end of a long day. “Tonight my friends on the other side of the aisle somehow negotiated to have E15 taken off the table. To me, it’s just unbelievable,” said Craig. “I know there’s probably some deal cut on the side or a gentleman’s agreement or whatever, but we’re going to be back here in two weeks. There’s going to be a lot of procedural movement on this thing. And I’m telling you tonight, I do not believe that we will see a vote on E15 come to this House floor, that standing down on E15 was walking away from our family farmers.”

Listen to Craig’s comments on the House floor.
Rep. Craig house floor 3:38

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper was also frustrated by the lack of progress. “We were greatly disappointed that the vote to ensure year-round availability of lower-cost E15 as a fuel option for America’s drivers has been delayed yet again. Given the strong support year-round E15 enjoys-in both houses of Congress, by members of both political parties, in the White House and executive agencies, and especially among American voters-we expect to see a vote soon-and to see this fuel available nationwide. This legislation is critically important for consumers, for our country’s struggling farmers, and for American energy independence.”

The House is expected to take up the farm bill again this morning.

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Diverse Coalition Urges E15 Action as Small Faction Opposes

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A broad coalition of agriculture, biofuels, fuel refiner and retailer interests is urging Congress to include a bipartisan amendment to the farm bill that would allow year-round sales of E15 and provide targeted reforms to the Small Refinery Exemption process under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

In a letter to lawmakers, the coalition said the amendment is a pragmatic, market-based solution that advances consumer choice, strengthens fuel supply and provides durable regulatory certainty.

“Maintaining access to E15 year-round empowers consumers at the pump with more options, particularly during periods of tight supply and high fuel costs, while allowing refiners and retailers to meet the demands of the market,” the organizations wrote.

Among the organizations signing the letter are the American Petroleum Institute, Renewable Fuels Association, and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, and the National Corn Growers Association. However, the same small group of refiners that killed E15 in January continue their opposition to the farm bill amendment.

“There is a tiny minority of major energy corporations – like Delek U.S. Inc., Cenovus Energy, CVR Energy, HF Sinclair, Parr Pacific Holdings and Suncor Energy Inc. – that are masquerading as small refineries to get Renewable Fuel Standard exemptions they don’t need,” said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower. “Their greedy actions are holding up legislation that would help farmers who are struggling during tough economic times.”

The House version of the farm bill passed out of the Agriculture Committee on March 5, 2026, by a bipartisan vote of 34-17. Amendments were due by April 22, with consideration expected to happen next week with a full House floor vote possible by early May.

corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, Renewable Fuels Association

U.S. Biofuels Could Play Key Role in Global Maritime Framework

Cindy Zimmerman

Ahead of the upcoming meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee next week, the American Biofuels Maritime Initiative (ABMI) is calling on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support a central role for American-made biofuels in the future of global maritime shipping policy.

In a letter to Secretary Rubio, ABMI stressed that U.S. leadership is critical to ensuring the discussions on a global maritime fuels framework remain technology-neutral and include commercially available solutions such as ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and bio-LNG.

“With the U.S. leading the way, it is estimated that LNG could supply 50% of the maritime fuel mix by 2050, with bio-LNG contributing an additional 13%.2 Biofuels have a current market share of just ~0.3% of the energy for global maritime shipping, but could move to supply 5% of the global maritime fuel market, equating to a demand increase of 4–5 billion gallons, while simultaneously growing corn demand by 1.5 billion bushels or more.”

The American Biofuels Maritime Initiative is co-chaired by the American Biogas Council and the Renewable Fuels Association and includes National Corn Growers Association, Growth Energy, Marquis, and Roeslein Renewables as members.

“American biofuel producers stand ready to supply new markets and reinforce U.S. leadership in global energy,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “As the International Maritime Organization considers the future of maritime fuels, we appreciate the United States working to advance a technology-neutral approach that fully includes American-made biofuels. Expanding into maritime markets will drive new demand for U.S. farmers, support rural economies, and strengthen our nation’s position as a global energy leader.”

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will meet for its 84th session in person at IMO Headquarters in London (with remote participation enabled) starting on Monday, April 27.

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E15 Introduced as Proposed Farm Bill Amendment

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the Congressional E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council are hoping the farm bill might be the vehicle to finally get E15 legislation on the road to passage.

Reps. Michelle Fischbach, Randy Feenstra, Stephanie Bice, and Adrian Smith introduced amendment to the House farm bill Wednesday which would permit the sale of E15 year-round nationwide and finalize rulemaking to recognize E15 compatibility with existing infrastructure and equipment.

The legislation would also clarify the definition of “small refinery” and beginning in 2028 permit RFS compliance exemptions for reasons including “imminent risk of closure, permanent idling, or conversion to a renewable fuel production facility.”

The Renewable Fuels Association is now urging House members of both parties to support the amendment. “This amendment would permanently allow for year-round, nationwide sales of lower-cost E15 at a time when American consumers are facing high gas prices and our nation’s farmers are in desperate need of new market opportunities. The amendment strikes the right balance for the many stakeholders who came to the table and engaged in good faith with the House council over the past several months, and we believe it is broadly supportable by agriculture, oil refining, biofuels, and fuel retail interests,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said, “Certain refiners have been holding E15 legislation hostage for far too long and Americans are feeling significant pain at the pump. Congress needs to decide if it will finally allow lower-cost E15 to be sold nationwide or let refiners continue to block Americans from saving money at the pump. Ongoing Middle East market instability underscores the urgency of this action, and we look forward to working with Republican and Democratic champions of E15 in both the House and Senate to get this across the finish line.”

However, Agri-Pulse reports independent oil refiners say the latest congressional push to get more U.S. corn ethanol into fuel tanks is dead on arrival.

ACE, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Hope for E15 Legislation Remains Alive

Cindy Zimmerman

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 there’s still a chance 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.

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2025/26 Ethanol Exports Already Hit One Billion Gallons

Cindy Zimmerman

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

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

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.

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