Clean Fuels Alliance America reported $350,468 in in-house lobbying expenditure for the third quarter of 2026, focusing on year-round E15 sales, renewable fuel requirements, maritime biofuel credits and tax incentives for small biodiesel producers, according to its latest lobbying disclosure, Legis1 reported.
The expenditure was $865 higher than the $349,603 reported in-house during the second quarter of 2026. The organisation’s combined lobbying expenditure across all registrants stood at $400,468 in the third quarter, down from $489,603 in the previous quarter and $587,578 in the third quarter of 2025.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP was the only outside lobbying firm listed for the third quarter, reporting $50,000 in expenditure. Three firms that collectively reported $130,000 in the corresponding quarter last year—Bracewell LLP, Jim Massie & Partners LLC, and KBS Group LLP—were absent from the latest data.
The disclosure identifies Kurt Kovarik, vice-president of federal affairs, and David Cobb, director of federal affairs, as the alliance’s in-house lobbyists. Both are listed as having prior government experience.
Year-round E15 sales among key priorities
A major focus of the lobbying effort is legislation to permit year-round sales of E15, a gasoline blend containing up to 15% ethanol. Current US Clean Air Act regulations restrict the sale of E15 during summer months under certain conditions.
The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, H.R. 1346, sponsored by Representative Adrian Smith, passed the US House of Representatives in May 2026. Its Senate companion, S. 593, sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer, has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
The bills seek to extend the Reid Vapor Pressure waiver currently available to E10 gasoline to E15, enabling year-round sales nationwide. They also include provisions concerning the return of compliance credits to small refineries under specified circumstances.
The proposals have received support from agricultural organisations, including the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. However, some lawmakers and refining industry representatives have raised concerns about the potential impact on refiners and fuel prices.
Push to expand renewable fuel credits to maritime sector
The alliance’s lobbying agenda also includes legislation to extend the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) programme to fuels used in ocean-going vessels.
The Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act has been introduced in both chambers as S. 881 and H.R. 1896. The Senate bill, sponsored by Senator Pete Ricketts, received a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in September 2025. The House companion, sponsored by Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The proposed legislation would allow qualifying renewable fuels used in ocean-going vessels to generate credits under the federal renewable fuel programme, potentially expanding market opportunities for biofuel producers.
Biodiesel tax credit extension proposed through 2029
Another priority is the extension of tax incentives for small agricultural biodiesel producers.
Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar introduced the bipartisan Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit Extension Act, S. 5583, on October 2, 2026. The proposal seeks to extend the existing credit through the end of 2029.
The current credit provides 20 cents per gallon on the first 15 million gallons for eligible producers with production capacity of no more than 60 million gallons. The incentive is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.
The legislation comes after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, extended and enhanced the Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit through 2029, including a transition provision for small agricultural biodiesel producers.
Renewable Fuel Standard and trade measures
The alliance’s disclosure also identifies the Renewable Fuel Standard’s volume requirements for 2026 and 2027, alongside trade measures affecting biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia.
The US Environmental Protection Agency finalised the 2026 and 2027 RFS rule on April 1, 2026, establishing volume requirements for biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel.
Trade-related measures, including antidumping and countervailing duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia, also feature in the filing.
Industry divided over E15 legislation
The legislative debate reflects competing interests across the US fuel and agricultural sectors. Thirty organisations are listed as lobbying on H.R. 1346, including Growth Energy, the National Farmers Union, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute and Valero Energy.
Twenty organisations are listed as lobbying on S. 593, including Growth Energy, POET, the American Petroleum Institute and Marathon Petroleum.
While agricultural and biofuel groups have supported expanding ethanol and renewable fuel markets, some refining industry representatives have opposed linking year-round E15 provisions to broader year-end legislation, citing concerns about refining competitiveness and possible effects on consumer prices.
The latest disclosure highlights the continued push to expand markets for ethanol and biodiesel through changes to fuel regulations, renewable fuel credit mechanisms and tax incentives. However, the status of the legislation and the outcome of ongoing congressional deliberations will determine the extent to which these proposals translate into expanded market access for renewable fuels.
