US officials weigh plan to shield farmers from expansion of refinery biofuel waivers, sources say
The Trump administration is considering a 500 million gallon increase to 2027 biofuel quotas to protect farmers from the impact of expanded refinery exemptions. The White House is pushing for more waivers to lower pump prices, but the EPA is facing pressure from attorneys general and agricultural groups to reject additional small refinery exemption petitions. While the EPA has delivered a final rule to the White House OMB to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadline, biofuel producers and farmers warn that exemptions could cost soybean growers $1 billion.
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- ✓ The White House is seeking more refinery waivers to reduce gasoline prices.
- ✓ The EPA has sent a final rule to the White House OMB to extend the RFS compliance deadline.
- ✓ Agricultural groups and attorneys general are urging the EPA to deny additional refinery exemptions.
What changed
The administration is now mulling a 500 million gallon boost to 2027 quotas to counteract proposed refinery waivers.
Live updates
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US officials consider biofuel quota boost to offset refinery waivers
The Trump administration is considering a 500 million gallon increase to 2027 biofuel quotas to protect farmers from the impact of expanded refinery exemptions. The White House is pushing for more waivers to lower pump prices, but the EPA is facing pressure from attorneys general and agricultural groups to reject additional small refinery exemption petitions. While the EPA has delivered a final rule to the White House OMB to extend the Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadline, biofuel producers and farmers warn that exemptions could cost soybean growers $1 billion.
Why it matters
The Renewable Fuel Standard requires refineries to blend biofuels into gasoline to reduce emissions. Exemptions allow smaller refineries to bypass these requirements, which reduces demand for biofuels and lowers prices for agricultural feedstock. This creates a policy conflict between efforts to lower consumer fuel costs and the economic stability of the US farming sector.
What is confirmed
- The White House is seeking more refinery waivers to reduce gasoline prices.
- The EPA has sent a final rule to the White House OMB to extend the RFS compliance deadline.
- Agricultural groups and attorneys general are urging the EPA to deny additional refinery exemptions.
Still unconfirmed
- Proposed refinery exemptions could cost soybean farmers $1 billion.
What to watch next
- White House OMB approval of the RFS compliance deadline extension
- EPA decision on pending small refinery exemption petitions
- Official announcement regarding 2027 biofuel quota adjustments
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (12)
- Reuters — US officials weigh plan to shield farmers from expansion of refinery biofuel waivers, sources say
- Successful Farming — Farmers Urged to Speak Out as EPA Weighs More Refinery Exemptions
- DTN Progressive Farmer — 'History Is Unambiguous': Ag Groups Pressure Trump to Stand Strong Against Sweeping RFS Waivers
- Ethanol Producer Magazine — EPA delivers final rule to extend RFS compliance deadline to White House OMB
- Biomass Magazine — Attorneys general urge EPA not to approve additional SRE petitions
- Reuters — White House pushes for more refinery waivers to ease pump prices
- Newsquawk — US President Trump's administration is mulling a 500mln gallon boost to 2027 biofuel quotas to offset exemptions according to sources
- Pro Farmer — Evening Report | Biofuel battle continues
- The Des Moines Register — Biofuel makers alarmed by reports Trump may expand refinery exemptions
- KTVO — Proposed refinery exemptions could cost soybean farmers $1B
- Michigan Farm News — Why small refinery exemptions could deliver a big blow to farmers
- baynews9.com — City of Venice wants residents to weigh in on updated Floodplain Management Plan
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