EPA is moving forward with its next phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, having recently submitted its “Set 2” proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This proposed rule is expected to establish Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the years 2026 and 2027, a move that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says will bring the agency back into compliance with legislative deadlines. Notably, EPA was originally required to finalize the 2026 RVOs by November 2024.
A series of meetings to discuss the proposed RFS levels is already on the calendar, with more expected to be added as interest grows across the energy and agriculture sectors. The initial round of meetings kicks off this week with the National Oilseed Processors Association. Next week, sessions are planned with Fuels America and the American Biogas Council. However, the list of stakeholders is expected to expand significantly. Upcoming meetings will likely include: fuel refiners and oil industry representatives, truck stop and convenience store operators and U.S. ethanol and biodiesel industry groups.
These sessions are critical, as they provide a forum for feedback and negotiation on the proposed RVOs, which directly impact the production, blending and use of renewable fuels in the U.S. transportation sector.
As the EPA works to meet its legislative obligations and finalize the RVOs for 2026 and 2027, the outcome of these meetings will be closely watched. The decisions made in the coming weeks and months will help shape the future of America’s renewable fuels landscape, with implications for energy policy, environmental goals and the broader economy.
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