LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- As the Trump administration continues to reshape federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a bipartisan group of 28 federal lawmakers is pressing new EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to get the Renewable Fuel Standard back (RFS) on track.

In his first week as administrator, Zeldin has been touring the country, including southern California, where recovery from wildfires is underway, and in East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a train wreck and environmental disaster.

As has been the case across many administrations, the EPA is behind on releasing new RFS volumes, and lawmakers have asked Zeldin to change that in a letter on Thursday.

RFS volumes for 2026 should have already been finalized but are delayed for what could be the end of 2025.

"Under the last administration, the EPA set renewable volume obligations under the RFS in a rulemaking commonly referred to as the 'set,'" the letter said.

"This first 'set' rule missed the mark for advanced biofuels volumes by setting blending targets over 2 billion gallons below production, creating oversupply in the market and stranding investment in production, processing and agricultural feedstocks. Producers are already reeling from the impacts, with rural manufacturing plants idling production, laying off workers and delaying feedstock purchases from American farmers."

The lawmakers told Zeldin that the RFS delay "coupled with the flawed 2023 'set' rule, has created uncertainty in the marketplace and slowed investment, negatively impacting gas prices, rural economies and commodity prices."

The letter is signed by Reps. Adrian Smith, R-Neb.; Dusty Johnson, R-S.D.; Angie Craig, D-Minn.; Mark Pocan, D-Wis.; Darin LaHood, R-Ill.; Sharice L. Davids, D-Kan.; Mark Alford, R-Mo.; Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill.; James R. Baird, R-Ind.; Robin L. Kelly, D-Ill.; Derek Schmidt, R-Kan.; Eric Sorensen, D-Ill.; Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa; Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio; Max L. Miller, R-Ohio; Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich.; Mike Bost, R-Ill.; Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn.; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; Brad Finstad, R-Minn.; Sam Graves, R-Mo.; Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis.; Mike Flood, R-Neb.; Ron Estes, R-Kan.; Don Bacon, R-Neb.; Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; Zach Nunn, R-Iowa; and Mark B. Messmer, R-Ind.

The biofuel policies of the first Trump administration were a mixed bag that included the approval of many small-refinery exemptions to the RFS that hurt demand, as well as lifting regulatory barriers for E15.

The lawmakers urged Zeldin to set policies favorable to biofuels and farmers.

"The Trump EPA took steps to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to E15, rejected efforts to cap credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard and adopted an approach to account for any lost gallons from RFS small-refinery exemptions," the letter said.

"Moving forward, rural communities are counting on you to maintain this trajectory by providing stable, predictable growth in U.S. biofuel targets and preserving the future integrity of the RFS."

The lawmakers said the RFS needs to promote growth in biofuel production to strengthen the farm economy.

"Ethanol contributed over $54 billion to U.S. gross domestic product in 2023, accounting for 28% of U.S. farming GDP while sustaining over 394,000 jobs," the letter said.

"Similarly, the U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry, with plants and markets across the country, supports 75,200 U.S. jobs and pays $3.6 billion in annual wages. Bio-based diesel drives more than $23.2 billion in annual economic activity."

The lawmakers said EPA "must provide stability" to the market by establishing "robust" renewable volume obligations in the next RFS rule. That includes conventional biofuels volumes such as corn ethanol of at least 15 billion gallons.

"Additionally, EPA must eliminate decades-old regulatory barriers to growth so all retailers in all 50 states can offer E15 year-round if they so choose," the letter said.

"E15 lowers gas prices for consumers, creates new markets for our farmers and helps reduce our energy dependence from foreign countries. To account for innovation in technology, feedstocks, fuel utilization and carbon sequestration, EPA must ensure timely administrative actions which encourage growth in the industry."

Read more on DTN:

"Zeldin Opposed RFS as NY Congressman," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Biodiesel Industry Frustrated at EPA's Latest RFS Proposal, Other Reaction," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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