USTR Levies 25% Tariff on Variety of Brazilian Goods, Including Ethanol
The U.S. Office of the Trade Representative said on Wednesday that it will levy a 25% tariff on a variety of Brazilian goods including ethanol, effective July 22, after a year-long review found the country had engaged in "unreasonable or discriminatory" trade practices against the U.S. Read More
US Treasury Targets November for Release of Final 45Z Rule
The U.S. Department of the Treasury intends to issue final 45Z Clean Fuel Production tax credit rules in November, according to the Trump administration's latest regulatory agenda released by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on July 3. Read More
Ethanol, Feedstock Groups Implore USTR to Levy Reciprocal Tariffs on Brazil
Groups representing the ethanol and feedstock industries told the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative (USTR) this week that it should move forward with levying a set of reciprocal tariffs on Brazilian goods including ethanol, after the agency said last month that it found the South American nation had engaged in discriminatory trade practices against the U.S. Read More
USDA Releases Regenerative Agriculture Rule, Feedstock Calculator for 45Z
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday released a set of technical guidelines for measuring the carbon intensity (CI) of certain feedstocks for biofuels usage and a long-awaited update to its Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator (USDA FD-CIC), which could pave the way for renewable fuel producers to start fully claiming a CI-based production tax credit later this year. Read More
Biomass-Based Diesel Feedstock Demand Projected to Climb 57% in 2026, 81% in 2027: Analysis
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2026-27 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will require an unprecedented expansion in biomass-based diesel feedstock use, with total demand projected to increase 57% in 2026 and 81% in 2027 compared to 2025, according to an analysis released Wednesday by economists Scott Irwin at the University of Illinois and Todd Hubbs at Oklahoma State University. Read More
DOE Cuts ILUC, Foreign Feedstocks in GREET Model Update
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published an update to its 45ZCF-GREET model on Friday, which will be utilized to measure the carbon intensity (CI) of fuels under the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. Read More
E15 Implementation in California Not a Sure Thing: Industry Official
The long-awaited manifestation of E15 retail sites in California may not come to fruition if a current stalemate is not resolved, an industry official warned Wednesday. Read More
Biofuel Feedstock Demand Up 12% in March as Soybean Oil, Corn Oil Reach Record Highs: EIA
U.S. biofuel producers consumed 30.337 billion lbs of total feedstock in March, an 11.8% increase from the previous month, as soybean oil and corn oil led this increase by reaching the highest utilization rates for their respective biofuel inputs since the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) began tracking biofuel feedstock utilization in 2019, according to data released by the agency on Friday. Read More
Florida Man to Serve 18 Months, Pay $3 Million for Biodiesel Fraud Scheme
The owner of a Florida biodiesel company has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and will pay a little more than $3 million for his role in a scheme that generated over $7 million in fraudulent Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits and sought over $6 million in fraudulent tax credits connected to the purported production of biodiesel, the Department of Justice said on Friday. Read More
USTR Recommends 25% Tariff on Brazilian Ethanol in Report on Trade Practices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued its findings on an investigation into Brazilian trade practices for a variety of products, including ethanol, on Tuesday, in which the agency said it found the country had utilized methods that are "unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce..." Read More
Malaysia Begins B15 Rollout; Some Areas Could See B12 First
Malaysia has begun to gradually increase the palm oil-based biodiesel blend level in the national diesel pool to 15%, from the present 10%, according to a news report by state-owned media Bernama on Sunday. Read More
Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations to Be Reviewed in 2027: Official
VANCOUVER -- Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will conduct a review of the Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) "starting sometime in 2027," an official said this week. Read More
House Passes Standalone E15 Bill After Decoupling From Farm Package
The House of Representatives passed a measure offering access to E15 during the summertime smog period on Wednesday, after initially decoupling the legislation from the farm bill currently pending before the legislature. Read More
‘Unprecedented’ Increase Needed in D4 RIN Generation to Meet 2026-27 RVOs: Analysis
The U.S. biomass-based diesel industry must increase net D4 Renewable Identification Number (RIN) generation by 55% and 67% in 2026 and 2027, respectively, from 2025 levels to comply with the Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to an analysis released Sunday by economists Scott Irwin at the University of Illinois and Todd Hubbs at Oklahoma State University. Read More
D6 RIN, Ethanol Price Parity Heightening Push for Year-Round E15 Access: RFA
Chicago spot ethanol prices and D6 Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credit values converged this week, with D6 RINs trading above the value of physical ethanol with attached credits -- the first time in the history of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) -- effectively reducing the net cost of ethanol blending relative to spot gasoline blendstock prices. Read More
Hawaii Legislature Passes Clean Fuel Standard Program
Hawaii lawmakers late Wednesday passed legislation to establish a Clean Fuel Standard program aimed at reducing transportation emissions through a market-based credit system for low-carbon fuels, positioning the state to become the fifth in the U.S. to adopt a program similar to those in California, Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico. Read More
Renewable Fuel Groups Call for Clarity, Certainty in 45Z Final Rule
A variety of industry groups representing renewable fuel and feedstock producers told the Department of the Treasury in comments submitted this week that its final rule on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production tax credit should be issued as soon as possible to offer much-needed certainty to market participants. Read More
Agri-Energy Restarts Former Gevo Ethanol Plant in Minnesota
Agri-Energy LLC's 18-million-gal/yr ethanol plant in Luverne, Minn., has restarted operations after being idle for three years, the company confirmed in an interview on Tuesday. Read More
E15 Sales Hit Record in 2025, RFA Says
U.S. sales of E15 reached a record 1.52 billion gal last year, up 23% from 2024, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) said Thursday based on an analysis it did of data released by state agencies in Minnesota and Iowa. Read More
Indonesia Could Face Obstacles in Advancing Higher Biofuel Blends: Sources
The Indonesian government could see obstacles in accelerating plans to introduce 20% of ethanol blending in gasoline and increasing biodiesel blending to 50% from the present B40, sources said. Read More
US Ethanol Exports Post Strongest January on Record Amid Surging Brazil Cargoes
U.S. monthly ethanol exports posted their strongest January of all time, thanks in part to a nearly six-year high in shipments to Brazil, according to figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Read More
Chevron Agrees to Pay $1M Civil Penalty for Invalid RIN Generation: DOJ
Chevron USA has agreed to pay a civil penalty of just over $1 million stemming from violations of the Clean Air Act's Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) said in a release Wednesday. Read More
California LCFS Weekly Average Credit Price Maintains Recent Strength: CARB
The California Low Carbon Fuel Standard weekly average credit transfer price remained above $70/credit for the third time in four weeks in the week ended Sunday, according to data released late Tuesday by the California Air Resources Board. Read More
Skyrocketing Fuel Prices Necessitate Broader Use of Ethanol: RFA
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Monday urged the Trump administration to take immediate action allowing broader use of ethanol in the U.S. fuel supply to help blunt the impacts of skyrocketing crude oil and gasoline prices. Read More
Ethanol Output, Blending Snaps Back as Winter Freeze Fades
U.S. ethanol producers increased output quickly last week as drivers returned to the roads following the end of a huge winter storm that brought freezing temperatures to most of the country, an event that brought increased demand figures many expected to see in the latest weekly batch of data from the EIA. Read More
Treasury Releases 45Z Guidance, Excluding ‘Qualified Sale’ Restrictions
The Treasury Department on Tuesday morning released proposed guidance for implementation of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production tax credit (CFP) this year, which comes without previous restrictions on qualified sales of fuels while also accounting for changes to the scheme from this summer's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). Read More
Marine Gasoil on East Coast Surges as Frigid Weather Pressures Diesel Market Higher
Marine gasoil on the U.S. East Coast has surged with the region's cold weather, OPIS data show. Read More
POET, CF Industries Team with Ag Cooperatives to Reduce Corn, Ethanol CI
Fertilizer and ammonia producer CF Industries Holdings and POET, the largest ethanol producer in the U.S., have launched a pilot project with agricultural cooperatives to develop a low-carbon fertilizer supply chain aimed at reducing the carbon intensity (CI) of ethanol production, the companies said in a release Monday. Read More
Trump Directs Thune, Johnson to Reach Deal on E15 Access
President Trump said in a speech in Clive, Iowa, on Tuesday afternoon that he has directed Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune "to find a deal that works" in Congress on year-round access to E15 throughout the country. Read More
New Mexico’s Clean Transportation Fuel Program Adopted; Seeks April 1 Start
The New Mexico Environment Improvement Board (EIB) adopted the proposed rules for the state's Clean Transportation Fuel Program (CTFP) on Thursday during continued deliberations of the rulemaking, with the state agency indicating an aim to begin the program on April 1. Read More
Clean Fuels Industry Future Bright Despite ‘Brutal’ 2025: CFAA Chief
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Last year was a "brutal" one for the clean fuels industry, an official said Tuesday, but the future remains bright. Read More
API, Ethanol Majors Reach Legislative Deal on E15 Access, SREs
The American Petroleum Institute (API) has reached a deal with Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) that includes year-round access to E15 throughout the country -- which could end an entrenched legislative impasse between industry groups on the oil and biofuels sides. Read More
LCFS ILUC Amendments Unlikely Anytime Soon, Engagement Process Needed: Corey
SAN DIEGO - Despite a recent workshop on indirect land use change (ILUC) factors, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is not likely to update the methodology in the near future, a speaker said Wednesday at the 14th Annual OPIS LCFS & Carbon Markets Workshop. Read More
2026 Preview: Renewable Identification Number Credit Targets Marked by Uncertainty
U.S. Renewable Identification Number credit markets were marked by uncertainty in 2025 and that appears likely to continue into the new year. Read More
Crimson Renewable Energy to Pause Production at California Biodiesel Plant
Biodiesel producer Crimson Renewable Energy plans to pause production at its 37.3 million gal/year plant in Bakersfield, Calif., President and CEO Harry Simpson said on Sunday. Read More
SIEW 2025: Tuas Power’s Steam Generation Plant to Run on 100% Biomass
Tuas Power’s plan to convert its steam generation plant, Singapore’s largest, to run on 100% renewable biomass by 2028 exemplifies a collective effort crucial for the country’s energy transition, said speakers on a panel during Singapore International Energy Week on Thursday. Read More
Year-Round E15 Sales the ‘Top Priority’ for Ethanol Industry: RFA Chief
WASHINGTON -- E15 expansion has emerged as the "top priority" for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), its chief executive officer said Monday. Read More
Support of LCFS Programs Remains Mixed in Midwestern States: Panel
CHICAGO – Support for state-level low-carbon fuel programs remains mixed in the Midwest, especially with concerns around the allowance of higher ethanol blends and the need for 'technology and feedstock neutrality,' panelists said Wednesday at the 17th Annual OPIS RFS, RINs & Biofuels Forum. Read More