Farm and biofuel organizations are expressing mixed reactions to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant 29 small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2025.
The exemptions cover 1.76 billion renewable fuel credits. However, EPA said it intends to propose reallocating the entire exempted volume into renewable fuel blending requirements for 2026 and 2027.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor questioned whether the exemptions meet the program’s intended standard. She said exemptions are supposed to be reserved for refineries experiencing significant economic hardship, not companies reporting strong or record earnings.
National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower said full reallocation will be critical to protecting corn farmers, biofuel producers and consumers. Without reallocation, exemptions can reduce demand for ethanol and other renewable fuels.
Clean Fuels Alliance America said renewable fuel producers are already operating at a record pace to meet federal blending requirements.
Farm and biofuel organizations said they will now closely monitor EPA’s next steps to determine whether the agency follows through with its proposal to fully reallocate the exempted volume during 2026 and 2027.