RFS 101

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RFS Blending Targets Challenged in Court

August 12, 2026

In March 2026, EPA released record high 2026-2027 blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). These record high targets quickly became the subject of a lawsuit in the U.S. D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals – with parties filing suit from all directions.  How the court rules with respect to these challenges will directly shape how EPA sets future renewable volume obligations (RVOs) and could impact demand for the current year targets under consideration. The Rule at Center of the Fight Since EPA announced the Set 2 Rule, impacted parties are choosing a side when it comes to this challenge... Read More →

Why Do RINs Get Retired?

August 3, 2026

Think about the last time you returned something to a store. The cashier always asks why: wrong size, changed your mind, item defective. The refund happens either way, but the reason gets logged. RIN retirement works the same way. Once a RIN is retired, it’s gone; it can’t be traded or used again. But EPA also wants to know why it was retired. One of the biggest reasons RINs get retired is to satisfy the annual Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO).  Obligated parties retire RINs to show blending targets were met. Per RFS Code an obligated party is defined as any... Read More →

Does Renewable Fuel Used in Data Centers Qualify for RINs?

July 30, 2026

Here’s What the Renewable Fuel Standards Says The short answer is no – and with data centers consuming energy at record levels, it’s worth understanding exactly why. As companies race to power AI infrastructure and cloud computing with renewable energy, a reasonable question has started to circulate:  If we supply renewable fuel to run a data center, is that fuel eligible for RINs under the Renewable Fuel Standard?  This use feels like it should qualify. The fuel is renewable. The use is real. But under the RFS, how the fuel is used matters – and data centers or stationary power... Read More →

Beyond the BTC: What 45Z Means for Biodiesel Blenders

July 15, 2026

The expiration of the Biodiesel Blender’s Tax Credit (BTC) at the end of 2024 and its replacement by the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit has been characterized as a policy upgrade – a more sophisticated, carbon emissions-based framework that is renewable fuel neutral. While that characterization has some merit for renewable fuel producers, the picture is less favorable for downstream biodiesel blenders. Under the BTC, blenders had a path to the credit value – sometimes negotiated through the purchase of B99 – but it was real. Under 45Z, that path is murky at best. What was once a fixed,... Read More →

Choosing the Right Reason for a RIN Trade (and Why It’s Simpler Than You Think)

May 13, 2026

Selecting the right reason for a RIN trade is like ordering a meal for dine in or to go at a restaurant. Seems simple, right? Same food, but very different handling. Reasons for RIN trades work the same way. Spot, Term, Consignment, and Standard don’t change what you’re selling; they describe how the deal is structured. Once you understand what each one is actually describing, picking the right one becomes very straightforward. The Common RIN Trade Types You Need to Know Each time you sell RINs, you’ll select one of four primary trade types when entering the transaction. Each corresponds... Read More →

Anatomy of a RIN: What Every RFS Participant Should Know

March 11, 2026

Every Renewable Identification Number (RIN) tells a story under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). For RFS participants, understanding that story is not academic. It informs trading decisions, blending economics, compliance planning, and risk management. Whether you are receiving RINs with biofuel for blending, acquiring RINs for obligation coverage, evaluating inventory, or analyzing market exposure, the ability to quickly interpret what a RIN represents is essential. This guide focuses on what every RFS participant should know — and how to read a RIN in 30 seconds. First: What a RIN Really Represents A RIN is generated when qualifying renewable fuel is... Read More →

When the RFS Clock Slows Down: What 2025 Reporting Deadlines Mean for RINs

February 11, 2026

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is designed around annual compliance obligations and quarterly reporting deadlines that, on paper, look predictable. The annual schedule is set with requirements, timelines, and expectations. The RFS calendar has a habit of slowing down when EPA has not yet finalized every regulatory piece needed to close out a compliance year. As obligated parties look to finalize 2025 reporting, timing is once again a key variable, with implications that extend beyond paperwork and into RIN validity and market behavior. Two clocks, one program For most RFS participants, reporting obligations for 2025 remain unchanged. Producers, renewable fuel... Read More →

The Responsible Corporate Officer: The Pivotal Position within the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard

January 12, 2026

If you participate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, whether as a renewable fuel producer, obligated party, exporter, or other regulated entity, you are required to designate a Responsible Corporate Officer (RCO) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The RCO plays a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy, legality, and integrity of all compliance activities under the RFS. But what exactly does it mean? And who is eligible to serve in this role? Below, we break down the essentials. What Is a Responsible Corporate Officer (RCO)? The Responsible Corporate Officer is the individual legally accountable for the information... Read More →

A Brief History of the RFS: How It Started and How It Has Evolved Across Administrations

December 5, 2025

Understanding how the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) began, how much the program has changed, and why it even exists in the first place can be challenging. The RFS didn’t simply appear fully formed. It has been reshaped repeatedly by Congress, the courts, market forces, and each presidential administration. Taking a step back to understand the evolution helps explain many of the complexities we navigate today. Origins: Energy Security, Rural Development, and Early Biofuel Policy The RFS was enacted with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), which is rooted in Section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act. At the time,... Read More →

How to Manage the RIN Rollercoaster

September 28, 2025

The complex and frequent regulatory shifts within the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program are the primary drivers of volatility in Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices, and we’ve all been stuck riding the RIN rollercoaster. RINs are the compliance currency and market incentive of the RFS, and it’s crucial your company understands how to value and plan your RINs. When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Congress signals a potential change in RFS policy, such as delays in setting Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), the granting of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs), or proposals for market-altering reforms (like a price cap), it... Read More →