Secretary Naig Issues Statement on EPA Proposal to Fully Reallocate Small Refinery Exemptions

What this means

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig issued a statement supporting an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to fully reallocate additional small-refinery-exemption volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Naig said the proposal would support biofuel demand, farm markets and investment certainty; the department’s notice describes a proposal and statement of support, not a final EPA rule.

Official release

Source material from Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Secretary Naig Issues Statement on EPA Proposal to Fully Reallocate Small Refinery Exemptions

DES MOINES, Iowa (Oct. 13, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement today following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s announcement in Peosta, Iowa, of a proposal to fully reallocate additional small refinery exemption volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):

“Expanding the use of homegrown biofuels helps make fuel prices more affordable for drivers while creating stronger markets for Iowa farmers. I appreciate Administrator Zeldin coming to Iowa to make this important announcement and recognizing the critical role biofuels play in strengthening our economy and rural communities. A strong RFS and full reallocation of these small refinery exemptions is an important step toward delivering the certainty our farmers and biofuel producers need to invest and grow.”

Release text attributed to Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.