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Clean Fuels Alliance urges EPA to reallocate waived RFS volumes or lose billions for soy industry

Clean Fuels Alliance America says the Trump administration doesn’t have to wait for trade deals to be finalized to increase market opportunities for farmers.

Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik tells Brownfield the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could completely reallocate recently exempted Renewable Fuel Standard volumes before the end of this year.

“If they set robust volumes, they reallocate the waved gallons, it will be the most positive signal that biodiesel has had in a number of years,” he says.

Recent analysis by World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services estimates U.S. soybean farmers and processors could lose up to $7.5 billion in crop value over the next two years if EPA does not completely reallocate what’s been exempted.

“This administration could be looking at the Renewable Fuel Standard, the biofuels industry, as a homegrown domestic market that they should utilize,” he says. “You don’t have to have a negotiation with President Chi to determine as to whether you’re going to put your finger on the accelerator when it comes to biomass-based diesel or put your foot on the brake.”

The EPA is accepting comments through October 31 on how to reallocate waived gallons from small refinery exemptions in the 2026–2027 RFS volumes.

Kovarik says U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production supports 10 percent of the value of every bushel of soybeans grown in the country.