In the 20th year of the RFS program, “Set 2” establishes the renewable fuel volume requirements for 2026 and 2027 at the highest levels in program history.
“Overall, ‘Set 2’ creates a larger, more stable, and more reliable domestic market for U.S. crops, strengthening farm income and rural economies,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “For 20 years, this program has diversified our nation’s energy supply and advanced American energy independence. EPA is proud to deliver on this mission and to do so at historic levels.”
“Today’s announcement is truly historic for our nation’s farmers and energy producers. These numbers represent the highest levels of biofuels ever required to be blended into our fuel supply,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.
To meet the 2026 and 2027 volume levels, EPA estimates that biodiesel and renewable diesel production and use will need to increase by over 60% compared to 2025 volumes. This in particular will drive renewed demand for American soybean producers.
With the benefits “Set 2” will bring to America’s farmers, EPA estimates that the rule will generate over $10 billion for rural economies and create over 100,000 new jobs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. To provide continued certainty for American corn growers and ethanol producers, EPA will maintain the 15 billion conventional biofuel level for 2026 and 2027.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented, “We appreciate the Environmental Protection Agency for finalizing record-high renewable volume obligations for 2026 and 2027, which will help drive increased demand for American grown crops. Now is the time for Congress to take the next step and make E15 blended gasoline available year-round and we welcome the president’s push for Congress to take action. Drivers deserve a year-round choice of lower cost gasoline that will help grow the farm economy by boosting demand for corn by almost 50%.
“We stand ready to work with the administration and Congress to move these priorities forward to ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to meet the food, fiber and fuel needs of America’s families.”
2026 and 2027 Renewable Fuel Volume Requirements, SRE Reallocation Volumes, and Total Applicable Volumes (billion RINs)
The priority “Set 2” places on expanding the use of American-made ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel in the marketplace will reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil by roughly 300,000 barrels of oil per day over 2026 and 2027.
EPA is announcing that starting in 2028, foreign fuels and feedstocks will receive half the RFS compliance value compared to American-made products, providing American biofuel producers with time to prepare for the change.
