Energy

Food, energy prices up in May as inflation hits 4.2% over past year

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:03:22 -0400

Beef prices fell but energy prices rose, helping lead to a 0.5% rise in inflation in May and a 4.2% 12-month increase that is the largest jump in three years.

Senate majority leader says new E15 bill is in the works

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:03:12 -0400

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says work is underway to craft a new E15 bill, though what that looks like is still to be determined.

AFPM challenges EPA over biofuel mandate

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:43:40 -0400

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers is challenging EPA in court over biofuel-blending rules that the oil refining group says are the most expensive regulations of President Donald Trump's second term and threaten U.S. transportation fuel supplies.

All signs point to China sticking with US soy deal, Vaden says

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:07:00 -0400

U.S. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden touts the Trump administration's trade deals with China and says the Asian nation is expected to follow through on its commitments.

Daybreak June 1: Voters go to polls in half dozen states

noah@agri-pulse.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:33:41 -0400

The week ahead will be filled with primary elections in key states and events on Capitol Hill, including an appearance by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who will testify before the House Ag Committee Thursday. Biofuels are the clear golden child of the crop-based agriculture sector, even as uncertainty persists around key issues like E15 and 45Z.

On marine fuels and RFS, Zeldin says he’s open to discussion

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:17:09 -0400

EPA chief Lee Zeldin says he's open to discussion on marine fuels and the RFS.

Daybreak May 28: 45Z credit gets IRS hearing

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:13:54 -0400

Companies and trade groups are debating whether imported feedstocks should count toward the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit as a three‑day IRS hearing on the proposed rule continues today. Tom Sell, co-founder and manager of ag lobbying firm Combest, Sell & Associates, defeated Abraham Enriquez to secure the Republican nomination in Texas’ 19th congressional district.

Water use prompts congressional calls for data center scrutiny

Wed, 27 May 2026 06:06:00 -0400

Growing concern about the water and energy usage of sprawling data centers used to power AI is prompting calls for more federal oversight from both Republicans and Democrats.

U.S. marine biofuel hopes build despite uncertain global market

Wed, 27 May 2026 06:04:00 -0400

U.S. marine fuel stakeholders eye global market opportunities while President Donald Trump is said to remain opposed to UN emissions-cutting efforts.

Daybreak May 21: EU charts path ahead for US trade deal

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:30:34 -0400

The European Council and Parliament have hashed out an agreement on the path forward for a U.S.-European Union trade pact agreed to last year. Rep. Thomas Massie’s primary loss in Kentucky has Republicans, Democrats and independents recalibrating their political assumptions as the midterm campaign season moves into high gear.

Daybreak May 20: Rubio stumps for Lindberg at UN

noah@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:30:59 -0400

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making the case at the United Nations to push Luke Lindberg’s candidacy to lead the World Food Program. The International Trade Commission is grappling with whether antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes are still necessary to protect U.S. industry.

Solar bill stalls as farmland transition accelerates

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:05:00 -0400

A Central Valley solar study bill stalled in the Legislature, leaving unresolved how California should balance renewable energy goals with farmland preservation, SGMA-driven land retirement and the future of farm communities.

USDA brings back fertilizer expansion grant program

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 20 May 2026 06:08:00 -0400

The Trump administration is reviving a Biden-era program to expand fertilizer production in an attempt to address persistently high input costs.

Corteva basks in seed prowess while chasing new breakthroughs

Wed, 20 May 2026 06:05:00 -0400

As Corteva prepares to split its seed and crop genetics business into a separate company, the agribusiness is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Pioneer brand, which helped revolutionize modern agriculture.

Daybreak May 15: Farm aid timing and vehicle still uncertain

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:51:39 -0400

Leaders of the House and Senate Ag committees and GOP leadership have called for $15-$20 billion in farm aid, but details remain unclear.

'It's complicated': Senate Ag chair says E15 bill needs changes

oliver@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:09:11 -0400

Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., expresses concerns with the House-passed E15 bill.

House-passed E15 faces challenge in Senate amid new pushback

Wed, 13 May 2026 21:00:50 -0400

The House has passed E15 legislation by a vote of 218-203. The bill now faces major challenges in the Senate.

Corn-soybean tensions flare on E15 as vote nears

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:55:13 -0400

The corn industry's quest to get more biofuel into U.S. gasoline tanks took a stumble as estimates on the cost of proposed ethanol legislation to soybean farmers opened up a major rift in the agriculture world.

Daybreak May 13: E15’s projected increase to U.S. deficit could hurt vote

oliver@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:08:00 -0400

A standalone bill to allow year-round, voluntary sales of 15% ethanol fuel blends, up from the standard 10% now, is set for a vote in the House today as champions and critics of the legislation go into a final stretch of frenzied lobbying.

E15 vote pulls in gas price debate as Iowa sees over $4 a gallon

Wed, 13 May 2026 06:08:00 -0400

The U.S. ethanol industry's big moment is here, as the U.S. House prepares to vote on legislation to allow higher blends of the corn-based fuel, better known as E15.

Fertilizer industry competition questioned in Senate hearing

Wed, 13 May 2026 06:06:00 -0400

Fertilizer production and concentration is the focus of a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing amid calls for greater government oversight of the industry.

Analysis: Strait of Hormuz closure highlights California’s fuels market vulnerabilities

Wed, 13 May 2026 06:04:00 -0400

In the wake of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, California officials and consumers are concerned that fuel prices will continue to rise to unsustainable levels. State officials have stressed that California is unlikely to face fuel shortages because it can compete for supplies in global markets on price.

USDA expects smallest wheat crop in decades, less corn, more soybeans

oliver@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:36:27 -0400

In its first estimates for the 2026-2027 marketing year, the Agriculture Department is anticipating a steep drop in U.S. wheat supplies, as well as a drop in corn, but higher prices for both corn and soybeans as demand for biofuels grows.

Food price increase contributes to overall 3.8% jump in consumer prices

steve@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:46:45 -0400

The Consumer Price Index rose 3.8% in April, driven in part by an increase in grocery prices, which jumped 0.7% last month after remaining steady in March. Beef prices were up 2.7% and fruits and vegetables jumped 1.8%.

Washington Week Ahead: Trump in China, fertilizer scrutiny on Capitol Hill

oliver@agri-pulse.com — Sun, 10 May 2026 15:32:47 -0400

Lawmakers return to Washington and President Donald Trump travels to Beijing as snarled trade flows dim the outlook for worldwide energy and food supplies. The Senate Agriculture Committee examines elevated fertilizer prices on Tuesday, while the House is expected to vote on a bill to allow year-round E15.

Daybreak May 8: Trump, Lula talk trade as administration weighs expanding beef imports

noah@agri-pulse.com — Fri, 08 May 2026 10:57:20 -0400

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and President Donald Trump met at the White House Thursday to discuss trade and tariffs, according to Trump.

Green diesel optimism reigns in Chicago amid turnaround buzz

Wed, 06 May 2026 06:07:00 -0400

After a severe downturn, the biomass-based diesel industry is buzzing with optimism amid recent policy shifts. A biofuels conference in Chicago this week marks a reversal from last year's gloomy sentiments.

Ag barometer dips again as war fuels pessimism

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 06 May 2026 06:03:00 -0400

Nearly two-thirds of farmers surveyed in mid-April said the war with Iran would negatively affect their income, according to the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Daybreak May 5: Iran ceasefire under strain as U.S. reports attacks on ships

noah@agri-pulse.com — Tue, 05 May 2026 11:41:47 -0400

The future of an ongoing ceasefire with Iran is on shaky ground after the U.S. reported attacks on ships the Navy was escorting through the Strait of Hormuz.

House passes farm bill without pesticide clause; E15 vote set for May 13

noah@agri-pulse.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:46:48 -0400

The House finally passed a farm bill, but the Senate has yet to act. The bill cleared the chamber, 224-200, after some tense discussions among Republicans. The House stripped a pesticide labeling provision from the bill and is expected to take up a bill that would allow year-round use of E15 on May 13.