Here’s How Ag and Biofuel Leaders Reacted to the Nationwide Emergency E15 Waiver

The Trump administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the approval of a nationwide E15 emergency use waiver on Monday, confirming that states will be able to sell E15 across the country during summer months. This was an expected move from the administration as this is the fourth consecutive year an emergency waiver has been issued by the EPA under the Clean Air Act.

In 2022, eight states (Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio) requested a permanent waiver to sell E15 year-round. The EPA issued a rule in 2024 approving this petition, which went into effect on Monday — coinciding with the issuing of the nationwide emergency waiver. 

As the news filtered through the ag and biofuels communities, many organizations released statements praising the decision. Some groups used the announcement to call for permanent nationwide E15 legislation to work its way through Congress.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA is the government agency tasked with overseeing the agriculture sector of the U.S., led by current Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

“President Trump is committed to lowering energy prices by unleashing American energy production, and it all starts with U.S. farmers,” Rollins said. “This move to allow the summer sale of E-15 will provide immediate relief to consumers, provide more choices at the pump, and drive demand for corn grown, processed, and used right here in America. Our nation’s great corn growers are critical to helping the U.S. achieve energy independence which is essential to national security. I thank Administrator Zeldin for moving quickly to implement this emergency fuel waiver and his continued commitment to U.S. farmers and the U.S. biofuels industry. At USDA, we look forward to our continued partnership with EPA and are working diligently to increase our energy dominance in the U.S. and abroad by expanding market access for American biofuels on the world stage.”

Farmer Groups

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)

The AFBF is the nation’s largest farmer-run organization and serves farmers in all 50 states.

“Farm Bureau appreciates EPA’s decision to keep ethanol-blended gasoline available nationwide through the summer season,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “People who choose E15 fuel experience an average cost savings of 10-30¢ per gallon, which is much-needed relief for families suffering with high prices.”

“Biofuels are an important tool in achieving the nation’s energy independence, while lowering costs for drivers and maintaining important markets for America’s farmers. AFBF has long advocated for year-round E15 sales, and we thank the president and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for listening. We now encourage Congress to pass legislation to offer drivers lower cost options by making year-round E15 sales permanent.”

National Farmers Union (NFU)

The National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of more than 230,000 American farm families.

“Nationwide E15 is a win for American farmers and consumers. Expanding access to homegrown E15 and higher blends during the summer travel season strengthens America’s biofuels economy, creates new markets for our farmers, and keeps more energy dollars here in our rural communities,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Administrator Zeldin’s announcement provides welcome reassurance to family farmers and ranchers facing increased uncertainty in the agricultural economy.”

Commodity Groups

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)

Founded in 1957, NCGA represents more than 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their state.

“This waiver will help corn growers and rural communities while saving consumers at the pump during a busy driving season,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We are deeply appreciative of President Trump and the EPA for making year-round access to E15 a priority.”

Biofuels Companies and Organizations

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)

Since 1981, the Renewable Fuels Association has been the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry.

“On his first day in office, President Trump declared a national energy emergency and identified year-round E15 as a solution for extending fuel supplies and reducing pump prices,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “With geopolitical conflict roiling energy markets worldwide, we applaud President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for acting quickly to combat potential fuel shortages and help keep a lid on gas prices this summer. Allowing uninterrupted sales of E15 will help boost gasoline supplies, bolster the farm economy, and protect air quality. We also appreciate the efforts of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, several key governors, and the many ethanol supporters in Congress who worked together to promote continued access to E15.

“For the economic and energy security benefits of E15 to be fully realized, the marketplace needs long-term certainty,” Cooper said. “It’s time for Congress to pass legislation — like the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act — that would deliver permanent year-round access for E15 and finally break the cycle of ad hoc, stop-gap emergency waivers.”

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)

ACE is a leading coalition of ethanol producers aimed at informing consumers and elected officials about the benefits of ethanol and its impact on jobs, the economy, reducing greenhouse gases, and more.

“We welcome the Trump administration’s decision to issue an emergency waiver for E15 this summer. Once again, this action will help alleviate fuel costs for drivers while reducing tailpipe emissions at a time when both economic and environmental concerns remain top of mind,” said ACE CEO Brian Jennings.

“ACE made year-round E15 access a top priority during our DC Fly-In last month, and we’re grateful to our members and Congressional champions who continue to advocate on this issue. Last year, EPA finalized a rule to allow permanent, year-round E15 sales in some Midwest states starting today — thanks to strong leadership from state governors and persistent grassroots pressure from our industry,” Jennings said.

“Nevertheless, emergency waivers and a patchwork of state-specific rules are a temporary remedy, and we badly need a permanent fix to allow E15 year-round on a nationwide basis. It is long past time Congress takes action. We came incredibly close to getting the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act across the finish line at the end of 2024, and now Congress must finish the job and guarantee Americans year-round access to E15. Particularly during a time of tariff-related trade disruptions, uninterrupted market access to E15 is essential to supporting corn demand and improving farm income. Enacting legislation to allow E15 nationwide access will save families money at the pump, increase domestic fuel production, strengthen U.S. energy security, boost the farm economy, reduce tailpipe pollution, and bring long-overdue certainty to fuel markets for retailers and refiners alike.”

Growth Energy

As the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry. Members of the association operate and support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America’s bioeconomy.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor expressed her gratitude to Trump, Zeldin, Rollins, and other politicians saying, “EPA’s decision is a step toward greater American energy dominance. This will put more American fuel in the marketplace, allow Americans to spend less of their hard-earned money at the pump this summer, give fuel retailers the clarity and certainty they need, and protect a critical market for American farmers.”

Skor continued, “With a temporary waiver in place, our bipartisan champions in Congress and the White House can focus on passing permanent legislation that provides unrestricted access to E15 — all months, all states, all stations, and all fuel dispensers.”

Poet

Poet is a South Dakota-based biofuels and bioproducts producer which operates 34 bioprocessing facilities across eight states and employs more than 2,400 team members.

Poet Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Joshua Shields also thanked Trump.

“Now it’s time to find a permanent legislative solution guaranteeing all Americans access to year-round E15,” Shields said. “At a time when farmers are facing market uncertainty and numerous challenges, we need to open new domestic demand that higher biofuel blends create. E15 reduces America’s reliance on foreign oil, lowers prices at the pump, and supports farming families across rural America. It is a true win for consumers nationwide.”

State Organizations

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)

IDALS serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 14 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety, and consumer protection.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig called the announcement, “A win for consumers across the U.S. and farmers here in Iowa.” 

He thanked Trump, Zeldin, and Rollins making E15 available to drivers during the busy summer travel season before explaining, “Iowa drivers saved $38.5 million in 2024 by choosing E15 over E10, and now drivers across the country can also take advantage of similar cost-savings at the pump. This decision is a big step toward making our country more energy dominant, independent, and secure.”

Naig continued, “Ultimately, we need Congress to provide certainty and predictability to the industry by passing legislation to make E15 permanently available year-round. Consumers would benefit from more affordable and cleaner burning fuel options, our farmers would enjoy stronger corn markets, and our nation-leading ethanol industry would expand, creating more jobs in rural Iowa.”

Iowa Farm Bureau (IFBF)

The IFBF represents farmers in all 99 counties of Iowa and is part of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

IFBF President Brent Johnson expressed appreciation on behalf of IFBF members, “Iowa leads the nation in biofuels production, and this action will provide consumers with access to a lower-cost fuel option at the gas pump, and the resulting demand for homegrown fuels will support Iowa’s farm families and rural communities. This summer marks the fourth consecutive year of an emergency summer waiver for E15 sales, and we ask that Congress act to make it permanent. Clearly, there is strong consumer demand for a lower-cost fuel option at the pump, and Iowa farmers stand by, readily able to meet the growing demand for biofuels.”

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA)

The IRFA represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa has 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.7 billion gallons annually and 10 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 416 million gallons annually.

Following the announcement IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw thanked the Trump administration. 

“While Iowa consumers and retailers already have E15 certainty, we still want consumers all across the nation to have the ability to save 15–20¢ per gallon at the pump. And during a time of tight fuel supplies, it would be ridiculous to tell retailers to bag their E15 pumps. Today is good news for Iowa farmers as well when you consider that 96.5%of ethanol produced at Iowa plants is utilized outside of the state.”