Hi everyone,
Today, we’re talking about the Renewable Fuel Standard — the government program that requires biofuels like ethanol and others to be blended into transportation fuels each year.
The latest RFS proposal is out, and let’s just say… it’s a doozy. Three big problems jump out right away:
- It chips away at U.S. energy dominance by pushing us to rely more on imports
- It jacks up costs for refiners and consumers (yes, that means us at the pump).
- It sets mandates that don’t match reality — because apparently wishful thinking now counts as policy.
We wrote a few blog posts to break this all down:
Will the ‘26-‘27 RFS ‘unleash’ affordable, reliable energy?
EPA’s RFS proposal doesn’t square with the energy dominance agenda
RFS costs part II: would you pay $770 extra per gallon of corn ethanol?
Give them a read — and while you’re at it, make sure Congress hears from you about the RFS and its impact on refiners: Congress can help fix the new Renewable Fuel Standard
- Charlie and the AFPM EMPOWER Team
As always — if you have ideas for EMPOWER content, respond to this email or reach me directly at charlie@afpm.org.
What we’re reading this week
Will the ‘26-‘27 RFS ‘unleash’ affordable, reliable energy? - AFPM
That’s looking like a hard no. The Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to finalize the largest and most expensive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate in history. This would significantly increase costs for American refiners and consumers.
EPA’s RFS proposal doesn’t square with the ‘energy dominance’ agenda - AFPM
The 2026-2027 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency can only be met if the United States significantly INCREASES imports of foreign biofuels and feedstocks. In short, the RFS proposal is at odds with the President’s ‘energy dominance’ agenda.
RFS costs part II: Would you pay $770 for an extra gallon of corn ethanol? - AFPM
Pay close attention as we continue diving into Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) costs, because $770 per gallon is what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering having you pay next year for every extra gallon of corn ethanol that might get blended BECAUSE of the RFS.
Newsom Proposes to Ease Permits for Oil Drilling in California - Bloomberg
California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a bill to streamline permitting for new oil wells that environmental groups say would wipe out scrutiny of the industry.
Trump calls on all NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil, threatens 50% to 100% tariffs on China - The Associated Press
Since 2023, NATO member Turkey has been the third largest buyer of Russian oil, after China and India. according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Other members of the 32-state alliance involved in purchasing Russian oil include Hungary and Slovakia. It’s unclear whether Trump would want to directly confront Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
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