EPA Sets Historic Biofuel Targets in New Renewable Fuel Standard

The new standards aim to boost domestic energy production and support rural economies.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:20pm

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A geometric abstract illustration using bold shapes and primary colors to conceptually represent the growth of biofuel production under the EPA's new Renewable Fuel Standard program.The EPA's new Renewable Fuel Standard aims to drive a major expansion of biofuel production to support domestic energy and rural economies.Sioux Falls Today

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced its highest-ever targets for biofuel blending in gasoline and diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard program. The new goals, set for 2026 and 2027, call for a roughly 60% increase in biofuel and renewable diesel production over 2025 levels, which the EPA says will generate over $10 billion in rural economic benefits and create an estimated 100,000 jobs.

Why it matters

The Renewable Fuel Standard program has been a key policy tool for diversifying the nation's energy supply and advancing energy independence. The new, more ambitious targets are intended to further reduce reliance on foreign oil and support the agricultural economy, but have also drawn criticism from some industry groups who argue the goals are unrealistic.

The details

The EPA's new Renewable Fuel Standard will require significantly higher volumes of biofuels, primarily corn-based ethanol and renewable diesel, to be blended into the nation's transportation fuel supply. This is expected to translate to a major boost in demand for crops like corn and soybeans, which are the primary feedstocks for biofuel production in the U.S.

  • The new Renewable Fuel Standard targets are set for 2026 and 2027.
  • The EPA announced the new standards on March 28, 2026, following a speech by President Donald Trump at the White House.

The players

EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for setting the Renewable Fuel Standard targets.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who announced the new biofuel targets at the White House.

Lee Zeldin

The EPA Administrator who touted the historic nature of the new Renewable Fuel Standard volumes.

Brooke Rollins

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who said the new standards would create a $3-4 billion increase in net farm income.

Fueling American Jobs Coalition

An advocacy group representing independent oil refiners that criticized the new biofuel targets as too aggressive.

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What’s next

The new Renewable Fuel Standard targets will go into effect in 2026 and 2027, requiring biofuel producers and fuel blenders to meet the increased volume requirements.

The takeaway

The EPA's historic increase in biofuel blending targets aims to boost domestic energy production, support rural economies, and reduce reliance on foreign oil. However, the aggressive goals have drawn criticism from some industry groups who argue they may lead to higher consumer fuel prices.