US fuel retailers applaud record renewable volume obligations
Three major US fuel retail associations have welcomed the EPA's finalization of record-high renewable fuel obligations.
NATSO, SIGMA and NACS, whose members collectively account for around 90% of fuel sold at retail, praised the Trump administration's decision to set the highest renewable fuel volume requirements in the program's history US EPA for 2026 and 2027. The associations said the mandates, finalized by the EPA on March 27 at levels higher than originally proposed Ethanol Producer Magazine, send a strong market signal in favor of domestic biofuel production.
The groups said the ruling should be paired with the reinstatement of the Biodiesel Tax Credit, which they described as a proven tool for reducing diesel costs across the supply chain. Biodiesel is the most widely used biofuel in trucking, and lower diesel costs ultimately reduce freight rates and consumer goods prices.
"Robust blending mandates such as those announced today can incentivize additional production of renewable fuels, creating additional supply and stabilizing prices," said David Fialkov, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for NATSO and SIGMA, adding that legislators should look to the Biodiesel Tax Credit as "the solution we know works."
Matt Durand, Deputy General Counsel for NACS, echoed the call, stating that the RFS works best when paired with consumer-friendly fuel tax policy and that retailers and their suppliers are better positioned to pass on cost savings when incentives align with mandates.
