Sources say that the US is expected to approve expanded biofuel exemptions as soon as Monday.
According to two people familiar with the issue, the Trump administration will approve an expanded number of exemptions to biofuel blend requirements for U.S. oil refiners as soon as Monday. This is part of its efforts to reduce gas prices. The White House was urged by lawmakers from farm-states not to increase waivers beyond the amounts announced at the beginning of the year, even though refiners had sought to use them to reduce fuel production costs. Farmers are concerned that the waivers will reduce the demand for their crops.
Sources: Trump and officials discuss expanding refinery waivers, as the farm backlash increases.
People familiar with the meeting say that President Donald Trump, his energy, environment and agriculture chiefs discussed on Wednesday a plan to protect?biofuel? producers from the impact of small refinery exemptions. Sources claim that the White House supports a plan for a significant expansion of the controversial small refinery exclusion program. This has prompted resentment from the U.S. Farm Belt. The officials said they wanted to lower gasoline prices, which have increased during the war against Iran.
Farm and biofuel groups ask Trump to limit expanded refinery exemptions
A coalition of U.S. biofuel and farm groups has called on President Donald Trump to reject a proposal for an expansion of waivers from the nation’s biofuel blend requirements. They warned that an increase in waivers would harm rural America, by reducing demand for American crops. People familiar with the issue say that the White House supports a plan to expand the controversial program for small refineries exemptions. Officials want to bring down gasoline prices, which have been rising during the war with Iran.
Palm oil falls by more than 1% due to weaker Chicago soyoil
Malaysian palm oil futures fell more than 1% on Monday, ending a five session winning streak. Weaker Chicago soyoil price pressured the market amid lower expectations for U.S. demand for biofuel. At the close, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives exchange for November delivery was down 72 Ringgit or 1.43% at $4,946 ringgit (1,224.26 USD) per metric ton. A Trader in Kuala Lumpur said that the palm market has fallen from its highest level since December 2024. This was due to sharp losses of Chicago soyoil after the U.S.
Palm oil falls as Chicago soyoil weakens
Malaysian palm oil futures fell on Monday, ending a five-session winning streak. Weakened soyoil prices and reduced U.S. biofuel demand expectations weighed them down. By midday, the benchmark contract for?palm?oil delivery in November on the Bursa Derivatives Exchange had fallen 27 ringgit or 0.54% to 4,991 Ringgit ($1,236.01) per metric tonne. A Kuala Lumpur-based trader reported that the palm market has fallen from its highest levels since December 2024. This was a result…
EPA extends deadline for refiners to comply with renewable fuel standard
In a notice published on Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would extend the deadline for oil refiners who must demonstrate compliance with biofuel blending law. This could reduce the high cost of compliance. The agency didn't give any additional details about the new deadline but said that it would be included as part of a formal action to come. In an email, the EPA acknowledged the notice. It said it "recognizes that the RFS program is important and is committed to maintaining stability and certainty." The Renewable Fuel Standard…
US ends summer blend gasoline requirements early in an attempt to lower prices
The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday that the Trump administration will eliminate summer-blend gas?requirements two weeks earlier than normal this year in order to increase the nation's fuel supplies and reduce gas prices. The EPA announced that it will allow 10% ethanol gasoline, or E10 with a higher RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure), to be sold beginning September 1. This is two weeks earlier than usual. U.S. usually?changes to summer gasoline blends through September 15 to reduce air pollutants.
EPA weighs RFS deadline extension amid high renewable credit costs, sources say
According to three sources familiar with the situation, the Trump administration is considering whether or not to extend a deadline of Sept. 1, which requires oil refiners to demonstrate compliance with the nation's laws on biofuel blends. This could give the industry greater flexibility in dealing with rising compliance costs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hasn't made a decision about the timing. It is publicly sticking to the deadline of Sept. 1, 2025 for refiners who want to meet the quotas set by the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Bloomberg News reports that HF Sinclair has sued the EPA over delays in a decision on biofuel exemption.
Bloomberg News reported that HF Sinclair was suing the U.S. Environment Protection 'Agency, citing a suit filed by the refiner, for 'continuing...to delay a...decision on exemptions from biofuel blending requirements. The 'American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers', who represent U.S. refiners, took a similar approach. They argued that mandates would increase compliance costs and fuel prices. The EPA stated that it would not comment on pending litigation or ongoing litigation.
Bloomberg News reports that HF Sinclair has sued the EPA over delays in a decision on biofuel exemption.
HF Sinclair has filed a lawsuit against the?U.S. Bloomberg News reported?on Friday that the Environmental Protection Agency continues to?delay a decision regarding exemptions from mandates for?biofuel blends?. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (which represents U.S. refining companies) took a similar position, arguing that mandates would increase fuel prices and compliance costs. The mandates were finalized late in March and require oil refiners either to mix billions of gallons ethanol or?other biofuels with the nation's fuel supply…
Trump's biofuel goals are becoming a reality, but US plants lag behind
The market is not keeping pace with President Donald Trump’s efforts to increase production of bio-based diesel and to deliver on his promises to farmers and rural areas. The production gap is a political and economic risk. A persistent shortfall may force renewable fuel credit prices to rise sharply and the Trump administration could be forced to use a rarely-used provision that allows it to lower its mandates to reflect the market. This unusual retreat could upset biofuel producers and farmers who have fought for higher quotas, and are an important constituency in the midterm elections.
Due to high fuel prices and mandates, US oil refiners are finally able to profit from biofuels.
U.S. refiners have finally reaped profits from renewable fuels. These fuels had been squeezing margins for many years. But now, demand has risen due to government mandates on biofuels and the rising price of diesel as a result of the U.S. - Israel war?on Iran. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated in late March that refiners blend record volumes of biofuels with gasoline and diesel for this year and the next. The plan calls for a 60% increase of the use of renewable diesel and biodiesel…
US finalizes biofuel blending quotas for 2026-27
On Friday, the 'Trump Administration' finalized a new mandate for biofuel blending volumes for 'the U.S. oil refiners. This required more fuels from corn and agricultural products, than originally proposed. The Environmental Protection Agency has set the total 2026 biofuel obligation at 26,81 billion RINs, and 2027 at 27,02 billion RINs. The EPA said that the total mandates included?70% blending obligations which were waived by the Small 'Refinery Exemptions Program during the compliance?years of 2023-2025.
Trump will announce measures to assist US farmers on Friday
Donald Trump said on Thursday that his administration will announce "actions to assist U.S. farmers" on Friday as the White House prepares for an event to highlight the agricultural sector. The move is made as the Administration prepares to release the long-awaited biofuel blending quotas in accordance with the Renewable Fuel Standard. This policy, which is closely watched by oil refiners, corn growers and ethanol producers, dictates how much renewable fuel should be blended into the nation's gas and diesel supply.
China's coal-chemicals sector reaps the benefits as Iran war crushes its petrochemical rivals
China's coal-to-chemicals stock has risen by up to 30% since the Iran War began, as the industry?capitalizes on its ability to?turn domestic coal into petroleum and?other chemicals without relying upon shipments through Strait of Hormuz. The rise in oil prices due to Iran's close-to-closing of the Strait of Hormuz has been a boon to the coal-to chemicals sector. This industry has its roots in Germany during World War II and is almost unique. It transforms coal into petroleum products, gas, and other chemicals.
Futures on the TSX are muted due to Middle East conflict
The futures that track Canada's main index of stocks were relatively muted on Thursday, even though gold and oil prices rose. Investors are cautious due to the Middle East conflict. As of 5:34 a.m., March?futures were down 0.02% on the 'S&P/TSX 'composite index. ET. Israel launched a massive wave of attacks on 'Tehran, after Iranian missiles had sent millions of Israelis running into bomb shelters. Wall Street's S&P 500 E-mini Futures and Nasdaq100 E-minis were flat. Gold spot prices rose 0.4%, despite a stronger dollar and concerns about the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies.
China Oil Refiners Feel Safe From Iran Conflict Disruption with Crude Stockpile
Refiners in China, the world's top oil importer, have enough supply on hand to weather near-term disruption from the Iran conflict, bolstered by recent record purchases of Iranian and Russian crude and robust government stockpiling, traders said.A prolonged supply disruption could, however, force the country's refiners to curb output and run down commercial stockpiles, some of the traders said.China has around 900 million barrels in strategic inventories, or 78 days' worth of imports…
Sources say that Trump EPA will shift at least half the waived biofuel obligation to big refiners
According to sources familiar with discussions, the Trump administration has settled on a plan requiring big oil refineries?to make up at least half?of?the biofuel blend volumes obligations that were waived in recent years under the Small Refinery Exemption Program. This decision may not be welcomed by larger oil refiners who have claimed that additional blending requirements would increase their costs. It could benefit the biofuels industry by increasing demand for blending credit.
After E15 deal fails, US Congress creates ethanol taskforce
After a failed attempt to include such legislation into a funding bill this week, Republican U.S. legislators plan to form a taskforce to examine the potential for year-round sale of?E15 gasoline blended with higher ethanol in the U.S. Farm groups and Midwest Ethanol advocates have blasted the formation of a taskforce instead of legislation. They called it a blow for American farmers who are already hurt by low prices, uncertainty in global trade and a lack?of clarity regarding U.S. Biofuels Policies. Farm groups want E15 to be sold year-round, as it has a higher ethanol content.
Trump administration could delay biofuel credit cuts as refiners balk
According to sources familiar with this matter, the Trump administration may delay for one or even two years the proposed cut in incentives for biofuels imported from the United States. This is due to pressure by U.S. refining companies who claim that the move would increase costs and reduce fuel supplies. The current delay could be welcomed by domestic oil refiners who have invested in bio-based diesel, but it would frustrate U.S. biofuel and agricultural producers. The Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to reduce the value of renewable fuel credit given by the U.S.