The Environmental Protection Agency delivered major wins for agriculture last Friday, announcing the strongest Renewable Fuel Standard volumes in the program's history during a White House celebration of farming.
EPA set overall RFS volumes at 26.81 billion gallons for 2026 and 27.02 billion gallons for 2027. Corn-based ethanol remains steady at 15 billion gallons, but biomass-based diesel — including biodiesel and renewable diesel — saw a dramatic 60% increase over 2025 levels.
The agency addressed small refinery exemptions by reallocating 70% of gallons waived over the past five years. While biofuel advocates had pushed for full reallocation, the compromise still pushed total volumes to record highs.
Geoff Cooper, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, praised the decision, stating it provides "the kind of clarity that farmers, ethanol producers, and fuel distributors have been waiting for."
In additional good news for producers, EPA granted its fifth consecutive emergency waiver allowing E15 sales through the summer driving season, expanding market access for ethanol blends.
EPA also announced relief for equipment owners by removing the diesel exhaust fluid sensor requirement for diesel machinery. Manufacturers can now switch to nitrous oxide sensors without violating Clean Air Act tampering rules. This change addresses a major source of warranty claims and could eliminate frustrating mid-field shutdowns caused by faulty DEF sensors.
These combined actions represent significant support for farm profitability through expanded biofuel markets and reduced equipment downtime.