South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and three fellow governors wrote U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin April 10, urging him to set higher renewable volume obligation (RVO) levels.

“Over the past several years, the biofuels industry has made significant investments to expand domestic production capacity and strengthen feedstock supply,” the governors wrote.

“Unfortunately, the RVO levels set by the previous administration failed to reflect this growth,” they continued.

“As a result, an increasing number of biofuel producers … have been forced to slow or cease operations, costing rural communities jobs and weakening key markets for American farmers,” the governors added.

The governors specifically requested that EPA establish a 2026 RVO of no less than 15 billion gallons for conventional ethanol and 5.25 billion gallons for biobased diesel.

These higher volumes would be reflective of the growth within the U.S. biofuels industry and would create greater long-term stability throughout the rural economy.

“Setting higher volumes will send a strong, long-term signal to the market giving biofuel producers and American farmers the confidence to invest, grow and sustain their operations,” the letter stated.

“For our multigenerational farm families, a strong RVO is more than policy—it’s a critical foundation for their future,” the governors stated.

“Our states look forward to continuing our critical role in achieving the Trump administration’s goal of American energy dominance,” they said.

Joining Rhoden in signing the letter were Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen.

The letter can be read in its entirety here.