White House officials have finished reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency's biofuel-blending mandates, a sign the long-awaited rules could be issued as soon as today.
The completion comes hours before President Donald Trump is set to host farmers and ranchers from around the U.S. at the White House. Trump is widely expected to mention the EPA rules in remarks at the event.
After the former Biden administration missed a legal November 2024 deadline, the Trump administration proposed 2026-27 renewable volume obligations last June that drew widespread praise from biofuel and agriculture producers.
EPA's proposal calls for a biomass-based diesel RVO of 5.61 billion gallons, up 67% from 2025. If realized, it would be the highest level ever for the soy-heavy biofuel used to power trucks and buses. The proposed blending quota would rise to 5.86 billion gallons next year.
The implied mandates for conventional ethanol were maintained at 15 billion gallons, a move applauded by farmers and biofuel groups. Roughly 40% of U.S. corn each year is used to make ethanol.
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EPA has said in a court filing it plans to finalize the 2026-27 RVOs by March 31.
One of the most controversial issues regarding the RVOs is a financial incentive for making sustainable fuels with raw materials sourced within the U.S., a move wanted by soybean processors and other ag groups. Fuel makers and oil refiners oppose the plan, saying it will hurt competition and potentially lead to higher costs passed along to consumers.
Another thorny topic involves reallocating Renewable Fuel Standard compliance credits — known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) — that were previously retired through small refinery exemptions. EPA said in September it was considering a reallocation of all or half the SRE volumes from 2023-25, as well as accepting feedback on other amounts.
The biofuel industry is pushing for full reallocation, though the broad speculation is that it will be less.
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