Clean Fuels intervenes to defend Renewable Fuel Standard against legal attack

Clean Fuels Alliance America filed a motion June 26 to intervene in consolidated litigation against the 2026-’27 Renewable Fuel Standard rule, Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA.

Clean Fuels said it plans to aggressively defend EPA’s biomass-based diesel volumes, which are driving a critical market opportunity for American farmers and sending signals for additional growth in biodiesel and renewable diesel production and feedstock supplies.

“EPA’s 2026 and 2027 RFS volumes are driving growth in a critical domestic market for U.S. farmers,” said Kurt Kovarik, the vice president of federal affairs for Clean Fuels. “Farmers and rural economies across the country need growing market opportunities to match their productivity and the increasing costs of inputs such as fuel. EPA understands that additional investment, job creation and industry expansion are all possible if the administration stands behind the latest RFS rule.”

More than that, Kovarik said domestic biodiesel and renewable diesel can meet 10 percent of U.S. demand for on-road diesel fuel.

“That added supply is absolutely necessary to keep the economy moving and keep fuel and consumer prices affordable,” he said. “If refiners and other litigants are successful in destabilizing the RFS program, American farmers, rural communities and U.S. consumers will pay the price.”

Since early reports of the final 2026-’27 RFS volumes in March, the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry has responded vigorously to the market signal:

• In June, Incobrasa Industries Ltd. opened a new facility in Gilman, Illinois, that will process 300,000 bushels of soybeans per day and provide a crucial market for 7,000 area farms.

• In May, domestic renewable diesel and SAF monthly production reached an all-time high.

• In April and May, domestic biodiesel producers operated at an average rate of 75 percent capacity.

• In March, U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers used all-time record amounts of domestic soy oil (1.28 billion pounds) and distillers corn oil (432 million pounds). 

• In March and April, farmers received more than $11 per bushel for soybeans for the first time since mid-2024, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.