EPA’s RFS proposal a great 1st step, says IRFA at public hearing

During a public hearing July 8, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association praised the Trump administration and U.S. EPA for proposing robust Renewable Fuel Standard blending levels for 2026-’27 and urged the agency to modernize E15 regulations to unleash greater access to the higher ethanol blend.

“This RFS proposal is the most exciting since the RFS was expanded in 2007,” said Monte Shaw, IRFA’s executive director.

“I cannot overstate the optimism it has caused in rural America at a time when farm income has plummeted and talk of tariffs triggers uncertainty,” he added.

“Finalizing the proposed renewable fuels blending levels will provide the right boost at the right time for our farmers,” Shaw said. “It will enhance American energy dominance, lower prices for consumers and improve the environment. IRFA urges the EPA to maintain the robust RFS levels in the final rule.”

In the proposed rule, EPA indicates that it will account for prospective 2026-’27 small-refinery exemptions (SREs) in the final rule.

The proposal does not address pending SRE requests from several years ago through 2025.

“At the end of the day, 15 billion gallons needs to mean 15 billion gallons for conventional renewable fuels like ethanol,” Shaw said.

“And 24 billion gallons must mean 24 billion gallons for total RFS volumes,” he added. “SREs should be few and far between. But when granted, SREs must be fully reallocated to ensure the robust RFS proposal is not undermined. The optimism around the RFS is real today and it would be a mistake to pull the rug out from under one of the only bright spots in the current ag economy.”

IRFA also urged EPA to unleash greater access to E15 by eliminating outdated regulations.

“EPA needs to reboot the effort begun during President Trump’s first term to remove outdated regulations limiting E15 sales,” Shaw said. “E15 should be allowed in all fueling infrastructure from the storage tank through the nozzle. Requiring retailers to spend thousands of dollars to replace perfectly compatible equipment serves only to slow down the growth of consumer access to E15. President Trump’s initiative was shelved during the last administration. It is time to get this commonsense modernization finalized. I look forward to EPA’s action in this regard and, as a result, working with EPA on future RFS rules to increase the conventional blending levels above 15 billion gallons.”