Coming off a tough year for biofuels in 2019, a federal appeals court’s ruling against the Environmental Protection Agency’s handling of small refinery exemptions is offering the industry a shot of optimism.

Last year was a difficult year for biofuel producers, but the leader of one of the nation’s largest ethanol lobbies said there are reasons to be optimistic in 2020.

A disappointing turnout and the Iowa Democratic Party’s historic debacle in counting the results of the 2020 caucuses are fueling calls to scrap the state’s first-in-the-nation status, which for decades has guaranteed a prominent place for agriculture and biofuel policy in national politics.

Biofuel industry advocates say they’re pleased with how the Democratic presidential candidates are talking about ethanol and biodiesel in Iowa, although most of the campaigns haven't provided specifics about how they would increase demand.

EPA is not expected to meet the statutory Nov. 30 deadline this year, and supplemental rulemaking to address gallons waived through Small Refinery Exemptions is said to be the holdup.