Unleash Us

In his editor’s note from the Summer 2025 print issue of Biobased Diesel®, Ron Kotrba pens a letter to President Trump calling on him to help stabilize federal biofuels policy.

Dear President Trump,

I realize the chances of you reading this are slim, but I am taking this opportunity in my editor’s note to let you know that hardworking Americans who helped get you elected twice are suffering. These farmers, renderers, grease collectors, oilseed crushers, biodiesel producers and even petroleum refiners who manufacture renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) have endured significant hardship recently. They are counting on you to fix these policy disasters and save a great American energy industry, over 100,000 jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity and investment.

You say you are committed to unleashing American energy. Of all the energy sectors we have, biobased diesel is the most American. Midwestern farmers grow soybeans crushed at ag-processing facilities to make animal feed and soybean oil, grease collectors aggregate fryer grease from places like McDonald’s where you enjoy the food, and these materials are converted at production facilities throughout this land into liquid gold, a renewable substitute for diesel fuel that powers the great American economy—commerce, construction, farming, over-the-road trucking, shipping, aviation, home heating and so much more.

I understand you disavow “climate change” but biodiesel existed long before the “Green New Deal.” In fact, American biodiesel began in the early 1990s as an ingenious way for farmers to develop a value-added product to consume the growing glut of soybean oil that was dragging down farm prices. This was also a way then, and after 9/11, to reduce dependence on foreign oil. The fuel also provided much-needed lubricity when the federal government lowered sulfur limits for diesel fuel. It is higher cetane as well and reduces many tailpipe emissions like particulate matter. As political agendas changed over the years, biobased diesel also happened to be recognized as low carbon, which isn’t a bad thing, Mr. President, considering all the other benefits to rural America, air quality and the economy at large.

The former administration set volumes for biobased diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard far below industry capacity for three years (2023-’25). This not only devastated biodiesel producers, particularly the smaller ones, but it also adversely impacted those who critics said you catered to during your first term—petroleum refiners, most of which now make renewable diesel and SAF. You can fix this by directing EPA to set volumes at 5.25 billion gallons for 2026 and 5.75 billion gallons for 2027*. I realize EPA’s proposal may come out before this magazine is printed. In that case, there is time between the proposal and final rule to do this.

The previous administration also failed to provide clear and speedy guidance on section 45Z, which has created significant uncertainty since the biodiesel tax credit lapsed and 45Z was supposed to replace it. Your influence in Congress to bolster 45Z and make it more robust and fairer for biodiesel and renewable diesel, specifically those fuels made from crop oils grown by American farmers, would very much help get people in these industries back to work. The draft passed in the House’s version of the “big, beautiful bill” is a good start.

If you truly want to unleash American energy and make this country energy dominant again, then simply unleash us. The fine, hardworking men and women in the biobased diesel sector are ready to roll up their sleeves and make it happen.

*Editor’s Note: This article was published in the Summer 2025 issue of Biobased Diesel®, which was printed shortly before EPA issued its 2026 and 2027 RVO proposal.

Author: Ron Kotrba

Editor

Biobased Diesel®

218-745-8347

editor@biobased-diesel.com