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. …
IRFA Advocates for Biodiesel in Clean School Bus Program
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 …
E15 Sales Hit Records as Push Continues for Legislation
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 …
Ethanol Report on EPA Announcements
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 …
Illinois Reaches B20 Milestone
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 …
Iowa E15 Sales Shatter Record with 60% Increase
The Iowa Department of Revenue released the 2025 Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report this week, showing E15 sales increased 60% last year in Iowa to over 410 million gallons sold. At the end of 2025, almost half of Iowa fuel stations offered E15, with the blend accounting for 27% of gasoline sales. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff …
Industry Reacts to Final RFS Volumes
Ethanol industry stakeholders are pleased with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the 2026 and 2027 compliance years under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ‘Set 2’ Rule overall, but still take issue with the 70% partial reallocation of the 2023–2025 granted small refinery exemptions (SREs). Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says they …
RFS Set 2 Announced at White House Farmer Event
Hundreds of farmers and ranchers representing various regions and commodities joined President Donald Trump on the south lawn of the White House Friday to hear him make several announcements related to agriculture, including addressing Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system complaints, and finalizing historically high Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations. “I’m also announcing a dramatic update to the Renewable fuel standards …
Poll Finds Overwhelming Support for E15 to Lower Prices
A new poll from Morning Consult, conducted for the Renewable Fuels Association, finds an overwhelming majority of registered voters support expansion of the lower-cost E15 fuel blend and legislation to make the fuel permanently available year-round and nationwide. “These polling results send a clear and unequivocal message to policymakers: American voters want expanded access to lower-cost E15—and they want it …
Groups Urge Reasonable Guidelines for Aviation Tax Credits
Over 20 agricultural and biofuels groups sent a letter this week to administration officials urging them to establish reasonable guidelines that will allow farmers to benefit from the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit, which is designed to facilitate the sale of ethanol and other biofuels in the aviation sector. The letter was sent to officials at Treasury, the Department …