This is precisely the wrong time to be making gasoline and diesel production more expensive for American consumers, but that’s what the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) latest Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) proposal would do.  

EPA is asking for input on its new RFS proposal, covering years 2026 and 2027, and we have until August 8 to submit our thoughts, which you can do below on your phone or to the right on your desktop. Here’s a high-level summary:  

• EPA is attempting to finalize the largest and most expensive RFS mandate in history (costing nearly $70 billion/year), even though this would significantly increase costs for American fuel manufacturers and consumers.  

• EPA’s proposed advanced biofuel mandate can’t be met without imported fuel. At the same time EPA is also seeking to effectively punish refiners for those fuel and feedstock imports.  

• EPA leaves a big question mark around how they plan to handle the small refinery relief program. Small refineries need to be able to seek and be granted relief when RFS compliance costs cause them harm. However, EPA cannot reassign those costs to other refineries.  

• There are two silver linings. First, EPA is making sure the RFS doesn’t become another government electric vehicle (EV) mandate by stipulating that electricity (in the form of eRINs) cannot be grafted into the program. Second, EPA is waiving some of the 2025 RFS cellulosic mandate since there isn’t enough fuel to satisfy the law. We applaud EPA’s common sense on these points.  

The bottom line is this: when RFS mandates are disconnected from reality, the cost of compliance goes up, and it is refiners and consumers who pay the price. Customize and submit your comment on the RFS proposal by using the tools to the right on your desktop (and below if you’re on your phone). And if you want a refresh on the whole RFS program, we’ve got you covered.