E15 Compromise Remains in Limbo After Deadline Passes

The deadline for the congressional E15 Rural Energy Council to advance year-round E15 legislation has expired. The Council has been drafting a compromise that addresses small-refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). To date, however, the group has been unable to reach a legislative solution. Industry leaders continue plans to attach E15 provisions to must-pass legislation rather than risk a standalone House floor vote. Prospects for success, however, appear slim to none.

Ethanol proponents blame a small handful of midsize refiners for blocking progress. Those refiners have signaled they are willing to support year-round E15 sales in exchange for the following changes to the RFS: 1. Continued small-refinery exemptions under the existing RFS framework, 2. No reallocation of previously exempted small-refinery exemptions (SREs) and 3. Limit the annual ethanol mandate to no higher than actual consumption from the previous year.

Refiners argue that these changes would significantly reduce the value of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and, in turn, reduce their RFS compliance costs. However, for E15 to be a viable market product, RIN values must remain high enough to give blenders a strong economic incentive to blend.

Earlier this year, EMA endorsed the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 593/H.R. 1346) in a letter to E15 Rural Energy Council Co-Chairs Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK). The legislation would permanently extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver currently in place for E10 blends. This extension would prevent the emergence of fragmented “boutique” gasoline markets in Midwestern states that have opted out of the E10 waiver. Such boutique markets could disrupt gasoline supplies, raise costs, reduce fuel fungibility, and ultimately drive up prices at the pump for consumers.

The letter also called for increased funding for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), an initiative launched during the first Trump Administration. To date, HBIIP has awarded $537 million in cost-share grants to support 543 projects in 29 states, enabling fueling stations and distribution facilities to handle higher biofuel blends such as E15, E85, and B20 biodiesel.

EMA remains firmly opposed to any reallocation of previously waived SREs, warning that such action would introduce unnecessary market volatility. When non-exempt refiners are forced to cover exempted volumes, RIN prices can spike unpredictably. This volatility complicates EMA members’ ability to offer competitive pricing. Given their reliance on both branded and unbranded supply and their limited operational flexibility, downstream marketers could face serious challenges—including disruptions in local fuel distribution and threats to economic viability.

Meanwhile, EPA Assistant Administrator Aaron Szabo announced that the final 2026–2027 RFS volumes rule has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget, with release expected by the end of March. The rule is widely expected to maintain the 15-billion-gallon conventional biofuel requirement.

House Advances Homeowner Energy Freedom Act to Repeal Key Inflation Reduction Act Home Electrification Programs

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 4758, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act by a vote of 210 -199, which is a targeted piece of legislation aimed at eliminating specific taxpayer-funded subsidies for home electrification that were enacted under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Sponsored by Reps. Craig A. Goldman (R-TX), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX) and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), the bill repeals three specific provisions from the IRA and rescinds remaining unobligated funds from two of them:

• $4.275 billion High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program. This program offered point-of-sale rebates to low- and moderate-income households for installing electric appliances and equipment, including up to $8,000 for heat pumps used in space or water heating.

• $200 million State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants program, which funded training for installers of energy-efficient equipment. (Unobligated balances from this program were already rescinded in earlier 2025 reconciliation legislation.)

• $1 billion grant program to assist states and local governments in adopting updated building energy codes, specifically the latest International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or “zero energy” and high-performance building codes.

Passage of H.R. 4758 follows House passage of H.R. 4626, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act, which would rein in DOE’s ability to set unrealistic efficiency standards.

“The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) strongly supported both bills, which prevent discrimination against efficient liquid-fired heating systems and preserve consumer choice,” said EMA President Rob Underwood.

The bill now heads to the Senate where it faces an uncertain future given that it will need 60 votes to pass. It’s unlikely that seven democrats would join the GOP to stop costly electrification programs.

Inside the Beltway Update

Recently, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Mike Carey (R-OH) introduced the "Pay Less at the Pump Act," a bipartisan effort to eliminate the Superfund tax on crude oil and imported petroleum products. This tax, which had lapsed previously, was revived in 2022 under the Inflation Reduction Act and extended through 2032. It was raised from 9.7 cents per barrel to 16.4 cents per barrel and tied to inflation adjustments.

The legislation seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by ending the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate, commonly referred to as the Superfund Tax. This levy applies to crude oil upon receipt at U.S. refineries and to imported petroleum products. Lawmakers estimate that repealing it would deliver approximately $10.5 billion in savings to taxpayers over the next decade, ultimately reducing costs for consumers nationwide.

Originally proposed in the 118th Congress, the bill would take effect immediately upon presidential approval, however, the chances of success are unlikely because the legislation would need seven democrats to garner 60 votes in the Senate.

Furthermore, President Trump’s February 24, 2026, State of the Union address leaned heavily into oil and natural gas policy, repeatedly framing domestic energy production as the foundation of economic growth, national security, and lower consumer costs, and reviving the familiar “drill, baby, drill” message as shorthand for expanding U.S. exploration, production, and infrastructure. The President touted strong domestic output levels and signaled continued support for policies aimed at reducing regulatory barriers, accelerating permitting, and encouraging additional drilling and pipeline development, arguing that increased supply is essential to keeping fuel and electricity prices affordable. He referenced Biden policies that were restrictive on fossil fuels, emphasizing energy independence and export strength as strategic advantages.

While the address also touched on rising electricity demand from data centers and AI, the dominant energy theme was clear: expanding oil and gas production remains central to the administration’s economic and energy strategy, with implications for fuel markets, refinery supply, and long-term infrastructure investment that will be closely watched by independent energy marketers and fuel retailers.

EMA Washington Conference and Day on the Hill – May 13-15, 2026: Please Make Your Hotel Reservation and Register Now

EMA’s annual Washington Conference and Day on the Hill will be held in Washington, DC from May 13-15 at The Mayflower Hotel. Our industry continues to have many important legislative and regulatory issues to discuss and the Day on the Hill remains the primary focus of this conference for you to meet with your members of Congress and network with other marketers from across the country!

Hotel reservations will close April 30 at 6:00 pm Eastern or when the room block is sold out. Tuesday night (9 available), Wednesday night (66 available), and Thursday night (37 available). If we sell out, please refer to the Additional Hotel Information #3.

Registrations must be received by April 30 to be included in our hotel guarantee.

Weekend Reads

U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear 'climate change' lawsuit case | Yahoo!News

FMCSA Rule Proposals Target Chameleon Carriers, CDL Training |Transport Topics

Analysts Examine What Tariff Decision Means for Oil | Rigzone

How Full Is the USA Strategic Petroleum Reserve? | Rigzone

Oil Prices Surge 3.7% as U.S.-Iran Standoff Triggers Higher 2026 Forecasts

Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline plans to be revived

Federated Insurance Risk Management Academy Complimentary Webinar
How Can Telematics Help Your Drivers Improve?
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern Time

Join our upcoming webinar to explore how telematics technology can support your fleet’s safety and efficiency goals. This session offers insights into the tools available to monitor and understand driver behavior, such as Lytx in-cab video and Federated DriveSAFE^SM telematics, to help manage your fleet more effectively.

Discover how modern telematics systems operate and the data they can provide to business owners and fleet managers. These tools can help your drivers improve operational awareness and reinforce safer habits.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• An overview of in-cab video and telematics solutions for risk management.

• How machine vision and AI can detect and flag risky driving behaviors.

• Using GPS tracking and video access to monitor fleet operations.

• The role of coaching workflows and performance analytics in promoting safer driving habits.

Register today to learn more about the technology shaping modern fleet management.

For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.

At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours®

Member Services Benefit with RINAlliance
Are You Taking Advantage of the Renewable Fuel Standard?

In 2024, the Energy Marketers of America announced an exclusive member service agreement with RINAlliance, so that every fuel marketer has an opportunity to leverage the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Whether a fuel marketer is determining whether to blend and take renewable fuel with RINs, or whether they are a current RFS participant looking to improve RIN management, RINAlliance can help with strategies, tools and expert support.

Schedule your consultation today to learn more by visiting www.rinalliance.com/contact. Be sure to tell them you heard about RINAlliance through EMA or one of its Federation members.