Clean Fuels urges USDA and Treasury to further update the GREET model to include additional climate smart agriculture practices specific to oilseed crops and quickly finalize rules for the 2025-2027 tax incentives (§45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit), which will support U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF producers.

“Clean Fuels and its members appreciate the significant work of USDA and other federal agencies to account for the role that U.S. farmers will play in decarbonizing the nation’s aviation fuel,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels. “U.S. farmers and SAF producers will continue to work with the agencies to rapidly expand SAF production over the next few years.”

Clean Fuels continues to assess the changes to the GREET model unveiled today, including updated indirect emission penalties for U.S. oilseed crops like soy and canola. Clean Fuels believes there is more work to be done to enable credit for climate smart agriculture practices that U.S. farmers are deploying.

“Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF producers are already negotiating feedstock and fuel offtake contracts for 2025, so we look forward to working with Treasury and USDA to quickly turn attention to guidance for the Clean Fuel Production Credit that begins on January 1 next year.” Kovarik added. “We believe there are additional climate smart agriculture practices and industry data that can be incorporated in the GREET model to support the continued sustainable growth of the entire clean fuel industry.”

Contact: Paul Winters, 202-737-8803, pwinters@cleanfuels.org

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“Each of our industries are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and we recognize that sustainable biofuels offer some of the most substantial immediate benefits to deliver carbon reductions. The EPA should utilize the RFS to improve energy security, bolster domestic industry and manufacturing, and maintain America’s leadership in developing and using sustainable, clean transportation technologies,” the associations write. “While our industries will continue to make investments in producing, distributing, and using low-carbon fuels, EPA can and should send a strong signal to the market through robust RVOs.”

“Transportation industries are looking for low-carbon solutions – particularly for heavy-duty engines – and clean fuels producers and feedstock suppliers are coordinating to deliver those solutions,” added Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels. “We are united in asking EPA to use the Renewable Fuel Standard to drive growth in the market, achieve significant near-term greenhouse gas emission reductions, and support the investments we’ve made. EPA must act in a timely manner on the 2026 RFS volumes to keep the program on track.”

“The U.S. oilseed industry continues to meet food, feed and fuel demand and stands ready to meet higher RVOs for 2026 and beyond. March was the largest monthly crush ever reported, up 11 million bushels year over year. National Oilseed Processors Association members have made over $6 billion in investments to increase crush capacity by nearly 30 percent,” said Kailee Tkacz Buller, president and CEO of NOPA. “This growth trajectory will be put in doubt risking billions in investments without certainty, clarity, and aligning RVOs to actual industry capacity from the EPA.”

Joining Clean Fuels in sending the letter are American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, American Soybean Association, American Trucking Associations, Association of American Railroads, National Energy & Fuels Institute, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Renderers Association, and U.S. Canola Association.

Read the letter on cleanfuels.org.

Contact: Paul Winters, 202-737-8803, pwinters@cleanfuels.org

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EPA did not evaluate use of biodiesel and renewable diesel as part of engine systems to meet the new standards, focusing primarily on tailpipe emissions. However, the agency considered a range of alternative fuel and engine configurations, such as natural gas and hydrogen. EPA did recognize that equipment makers will continue to have the option to use biodiesel and renewable in their compliance strategies.

“EPA’s rule flatly dismisses the benefits of biodiesel and renewable diesel as the lowest-cost and most widely available options to kickstart decarbonization of the heavy-duty vehicle sector,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels. “There should be no uncertainty that biodiesel and renewable diesel also reduce criteria pollutants from heavy-duty vehicles, which will continue to be manufactured and used during the timeframe of this rule. EPA should recognize that biodiesel and renewable diesel merit a role in meeting these emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.”

Contact: Paul Winters, 202-737-8803, pwinters@cleanfuels.org

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Kate earned a Master of Science in environmental policy at Bard Center for Environmental Policy, Bard College in New York. She also is the immediate past president of Women in Government Relations, a non-partisan professional society in Washington.

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Paul brings to Clean Fuels Alliance America extensive experience in media relations and advocacy on the RFS and other federal policies. Paul earned a bachelor’s degree at UCLA and a master’s degree at the University of California, Davis, in political science and international relations.

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Prior to joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, David was Director of Federal Affairs for CHS Inc., the nation’s largest farmer owned cooperative. David was previously Legislative Assistant for agriculture and natural resources issues to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and on the staff of Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). David is a native of Ruston, LA and earned a B.A. from Louisiana Tech University.

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Prior to joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, Kurt worked for more than 20 years in the office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), leading efforts on the Renewable Fuel Standard, the biodiesel tax incentive and increased use of clean fuels. An Iowa native, Kurt graduated from Luther College with a degree in political science.

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