The Trump administration on May 8 announced a new trade deal with the U.K. that the White House said will create a $5 billion export opportunity for U.S. farmers, ranchers and producers, including more than $700 million in ethanol exports.
Reps. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, and Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., on May 7 introduced a bill that aims to update USDA’s Section 9003 program to expand access to grants, streamline loan guarantees and provide $100 million in mandatory funding over five years.
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Reps. Mike Carey, R-Ohio, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, on May 1 introduced legislation that aims to retroactively extend the biodiesel blenders tax credit (BTC) and the second-generation biofuel producer tax credit.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced on April 30 that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program board has approved an additional 95 applications to support new and expanded ethanol infrastructure projects.
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong on April 15 signed a bill creating a low-carbon fuels fund that is designed to help the state’s ethanol producers lower the CI of the fuel they produce, which could help producers participate in the SAF market.
In April, U.S. Grains Council Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Ramy H. Taieb led a delegation to Nigeria to study the country’s potential for enhanced ethanol consumption.
The EU’s continued discrimination against the use of sustainable crop-based biofuels to reduce emissions from transport has left Europe needlessly reliant on fossil fuels, with many Member States still falling short of renewable energy targets.
The Oregon DEQ has confirmed that the 2024 annual report deadline for the state’s Clean Fuels Program will be delayed until May 30 due to a cyberattack the resulted in an extended outage of the Oregon Fuels Reporting System.
Legislation currently under consideration by the New York legislature aims to establish a clean fuel standard (CFS) that would reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity from on-road transportation by 20% by 2033.
On April 15, Iowa’s cost-share Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program awarded almost $1 million in grants to add E15 to 94 Iowa retail fuel sites throughout the state, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.
The U.S. EPA on April 28 announced it will issue emergency fuel waivers for both E10 and E15. The emergency actions aim to provide consumers with relief at the pump by increasing the fuel supply and reducing costs.
In April, the U.S. Grains Council and the National Corn Growers Association held trade policy academies in Ames, Iowa, and Birmingham, Michigan, for producers to learn about the latest developments affecting global markets for their goods.
A bill currently pending in the California legislature would authorize the use of E15 within the state until state agencies complete the required evaluation process for the fuel blend and issue a decision.
The Renewable Fuels Association on April 23 thanked 25 members of the House of Representatives who sent a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging his administration to allow unimpeded sales of lower-cost E15 through the summer months.
CARB on April 4 released a third set of proposed changes to the state’s LCFS. More than 80 public comments were filed ahead of an April 21 deadline, including those filed by representatives of the ethanol, biobased diesel and biogas industries.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on April 18 proposed to delay the 2024 annual report deadline for the state’s Clean Fuels Program due to a cyberattack and extended outage of the Oregon Fuels Reporting System.
A group of seven Midwest governors on April 16 sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin calling on the agency to issue an emergency waiver to ensure regulatory consistency for fuel suppliers heading into the summer driving season.
The Washington Senate on April 15 voted 25 to 23 in favor of legislation that aims to update the state’s Clean Fuels Standard, setting more ambitious carbon reduction goals that would require a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2038.
USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, USGC Regional Director for Latin America Marri Tejada and USGC Regional Ethanol Consultant Federico Salcedo visited Guatemala and Panama to enhance trade relations.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced on April 16 that he has authored two letters that were delivered to the Trump Administration and Congressional leadership in support of nationwide access to E15 (Unleaded 88).
In a rapidly evolving energy landscape, the 41st International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo will return June 9–11 to the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The event is recognized as the largest and longest-running ethanol conference in the world.
The U.S. EPA on April 17 reported that 1.82 billion RINs were generated under the RFS in March, down from 1.93 billion generated during the same month of 2024. Approximately 5.34 billion RINs were generated during the first quarter of 2025.
The U.S. EPA on April 17 published updated SRE data showing that five new SRE petitions have been filed under the RFS during the past month. According to the agency, 161 SRE petitions are currently pending,
The government of Vietnam on March 31 issued a decree reducing the the country’s Most-Favored-Nation import tariff rates for a variety of commodities and products, including ethanol. The MFN rates apply to imports from the U.S.
CoBank’s latest quarterly research report predicts domestic ethanol blending will remain stable or increase slightly this year. However, policy uncertainty and trade disruptions due to tariff disputes could negatively impact the industry.
The U.S. EIA on April 15 released its Annual Energy Outlook 2025, which includes energy trend projections through 2050. The U.S. DOE, however, is cautioning that the forecasts do not reflect the Trump administration’s energy policy changes.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on April 10 announced that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program board recently approved 114 project applications from Iowa gas stations, totaling more than $2.88 million.
The USDA on April 14 announced the cancellation of its Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. Select projects that meet certain requirements may continue under a new Advancing Markets for Producers initiative.
The governors of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Missouri on April 10 sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the agency to set higher Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs).
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