WASHINGTON, DC, US — Biofuels and agriculture advocacy groups are urging the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set 2026 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volumes and finalize a biomass-based diesel (BBD) volume at least 5.25 billion gallons.

The National Oilseeds Processors Association (NOPA), Clean Fuels Alliance America, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, North American Renderers Association and US Canola, made their case in a March 17 letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldon in which they also called for “a commensurate increase in the advanced biofuel volume to accommodate the step change in biomass-based diesel.”

The groups noted that this target is supported by a recent NOPA-commissioned feedstock study showing that US domestic feedstocks can support 5.3 billion gallons of BBD production in 2026 and 6.7 billion gallons by 2030.

“NOPA’s feedstock study clearly demonstrates our ability to not only meet but exceed demand for biomass-based diesel with domestic feedstocks today while still meeting the demand for food and feed across the world,” said Devin Mogler, president and chief executive officer of NOPA. “The EPA had previously set BBD volumes far below industry capacity, creating uncertainty and limiting growth in domestic manufacturing and ultimately reducing values for American farmers. Reversing this trend and setting 2026 volumes that accurately reflect our capabilities will provide more clean energy to more Americans and set us on a path to domestic energy dominance.”

The groups cited significant investments in both domestic biofuel production and feedstock supply, supporting a doubling of domestic clean fuels production in recent years. Per NOPA’s feedstock study, in 2023 alone, domestic and imported feedstocks supported the production of 4.3 billion gallons of BBD, surpassing the yearly renewable volume obligations for 2023, 2024 and 2025. 

This increased production is supported by the US oilseed processing industry’s $6 billion investment to expand US crushing capacity by 25% relative to 2023 installed capacity, NOPA noted.

“Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are essential to meeting America’s growing demand for clean energy,” the groups said. “Setting these volumes for 2026 and establishing consistent growth for 2027 and beyond based on the industry’s investments and projections will ensure that American consumers can access affordable and clean transportation options.”

Read the letter here.