A group of 28 House members on May 16 sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his administration to adopt timely, robust Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and beyond.&nbsp;“Projected obligations should accurately reflect the availability of feedstocks and ongoing investments in production capacity,” the lawmakers wrote. “Now more than ever, it is essential to identify and promote opportunities, like the upcoming RVOs, that lower costs for consumers and support economic growth.“Even before you took office, the EPA was months behind meeting the statutory deadline to set RVOs, which only exacerbated market instability,” they continued. “Domestic biofuel production facilities have already idled, and further delays in action could result in additional closures, putting Americans out of work and disrupting key markets for farmers.”Within the letter, the House members note that strong RFS RVOs will lower prices at the pump while creating and maintaining U.S. biomanufacturing jobs and driving economic growth. “A strong RVO will also support market growth for farmers at a time when global markets are experiencing uncertainty. The domestic biofuels industry stands ready to increase availability of affordable fuels options and support the administration’s goal of American energy dominance,” they added.&nbsp;The lawmakers ask Trump to ensure the implied RVO for conventional biofuel is set at least 15 billion gallons. The RVO for biomass-based diesel should be set at 5.25 billion gallons in 2026, increasing to higher levels in future years to reflect the rapid growth of renewable diesel and soybean processing capacity. In addition, the House members are urging Trump to reject any abuse of small refinery exemption (SRE) authority and ensure any legitimate SREs have their volumes accounted for in the RVOs to prevent lost demand in key markets for farmers.&nbsp;The U.S. EPA has begun the rulemaking process to set the 2026 RVOs. The agency on May 14 <a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/epa-delivers-2-rfs-rulemakings-to-the-white-house-omb">delivered its proposed rule to set 2026 RFS RVOs</a> to the White House Office of Management and Budget, kicking off the interagency review process. Also on on May 14, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin <a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/zeldin-provides-timeline-for-upcoming-rfs-rulemaking">confirmed</a> the agency will “over the next few months” be completing a rulemaking process to set new RFS RVOs.&nbsp;Clean Fuels Alliance America has spoken out in support of the lawmakers’ effort to enact strong RVOs. “Biodiesel and renewable diesel production is an essential market for American farmers. Clean Fuels and its members thank Representatives Ashley Hinson and Angie Craig for leading this bipartisan effort,” said Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels vice president of federal affairs. “And we appreciate EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s commitment to getting the Renewable Fuel Standard rules back on schedule.“RFS stakeholders are unified in asking EPA to set the 2026 RFS Biomass-based Diesel volume at 5.25 billion gallons, with appropriate growth for 2027 and beyond,” Kovarik added. “That volume will support American agriculture and benefit U.S. consumers with lower fuel prices, more jobs, and increased economic growth.”The Renewable Fuels Association is also applauding the House members’ request. “With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rulemaking for RVOs now under review at the White House, this is a critical moment to engage with the administration and make clear what’s at stake—both for the farm economy and for American energy independence,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the RFA. “We’re grateful to Reps. Hinson, Craig, and their many colleagues for their leadership and strong commitment to advancing this important effort.”The letter is signed by Reps. Ashley, Hinson, R-Iowa; Angie Craig, D-Minn.; Adrian Smith, R-Neb.; Sharice Davids, D-Kan.; Robin Kelly, D-Ill.; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; Mark Alford, R-Mo.; Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill.; Dusty Johnson, R-S.D.; Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn.; Eric Sorensen, D-Ill.; Mike Flood, R-Neb.; Troy Carter. D-La.; Brad Finstad, R-Minn.; Tracey Mann, R-Kan.; Derek Schmidt, R-Kan.; Mike Bost, R-Ill.; Max Miller, R-Ohio; Ann Wagner, R-Mo.; Mark Pocan, D-Wisc.; Shontel Brown, D-Ohio; Darin LaHood, R-Ill.; Ron Estes, R-Kan.; Sam Graves, R-Mo.; Mark Messmer, R-Ind.; Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D.;&nbsp;and Zach Nunn, R-Iowa.A full copy of the letter is available on the Clean Fuels Alliance America <a href="https://cleanfuels.org/wp-content/uploads/House-RVO-Letter-to-President-Trump-May25.pdf?utm_campaign=731631_May%2025%20House%20RVO%20Letter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Clean%20Fuels%20Alliance%20America&amp;dm_i=7CBJ,FOJ3,2K9UOI,2IENF,1">website</a>.&nbsp;

2025-05-21 - Lawmakers advocate for robust RFS RVOs (4 publications)

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A group of 28 House members on May 16 sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his administration to adopt timely, robust Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and beyond. 

Lawmakers advocate for robust RFS RVOs

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