The clean fuels industry is coming off a year of historic production , reaching an estimated 5 billion gallons in 2024 , the Alliance said . New soy crush capacity is coming online to fuel even more progress in 2025 , Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen told attendees in opening remarks .

“ The soybean crush industry has invested over $ 6 billion in the largest expansion of soybean crush in over 50 years ,” Rehagen said . “ They have seen our industry grow and they believe , like we do , that growing demand for clean liquid renewable fuels is now the new norm . They see our fuels have now reached a relevance worth investing in .”

Policies at the state and federal levels provide a mixed bag , with opportunities for continued growth along with new challenges . At the federal level , there remains uncertainty in the Renewable Fuel Standard as the Environmental Protection Agency missed its November deadline to set volumes for this year .

“ This makes it all the more critical that we advocate for significant growth in those volumes and push this administration to finalize them soon , so we don ’ t find ourselves this time next year without RVO levels for 2026 ,” Rehagen said .

Clean Fuels Alliance America said it continues to grow , with all six Class I railroads now members of the organization . During the mainstage panel All Aboard : Rail Contemplates Life After Diesel , representatives from Union Pacific , Metrolink and Pacific Harbor Line , discussed how transitioning to cleaner renewable diesel is helping them meet their sustainability goals .

On the vehicle technology side , Original Equipment Manufacturers and fleet managers discussed how competing regulations from EPA and the California Air Resources Board create challenges for new vehicles . Nine heavy-duty vehicles were on display at the Clean Fuels Vehicle Showcase highlighting technical advancements for cleaner engines . All vehicles featured were equipped to run on R100 , biodiesel blends up to B20 , with one over-the-road fleet truck powered by B100 using Optimus Technologies ’ Vector System .

The conference ran Jan . 20-23 . The content throughout the week fit into the conference theme of “ Accelerate ,” building off the industry ’ s momentum to accomplish even

Floyd Vergara ( left ) was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award , presented by Clean Fuels Alliance CEO Donnell Rehagen . The award recognized Vergara ’ s “ transformative contributions to the clean fuels industry and environmental policy .” Credit Clean Fuels Alliance .

more in the future . “ We ’ ve grown from a niche concept into a relevant force that is reshaping our nation ’ s energy landscape ,” Rehagen said . “ Together , we ’ ve proven that innovation and resilience can drive real change . Yes , we face challenges . But challenges are also opportunities — opportunities for creativity , collaboration and determination .”

CONGRESS MEMBERS TO EPA : PUT RFS BACK ON TRACK

Clean Fuels Alliance America thanked 28 members of Congress who sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin , urging him to put the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track and provide a path for growth of the U . S . biofuel industry . The Feb . 6 letter specifically requests EPA to set timely , robust volumes for 2026 and beyond in the “ Set 2 ” rule ; to reject abuse of small refinery exemptions ; and to avoid proposals that retroactively lower set volumes or erode demand .

“ Steady growth in U . S . biofuel production means more American fuel in the marketplace and lower prices at the pump for hardworking families who have spent years suffering under high inflation ,” write the Congressional Biofuels Caucus members , led by Reps . Adrian Smith ( R-NE ) and Angie Craig ( D-MN ). “ Moving forward , rural communities are counting on you to maintain this trajectory by providing stable , predictable growth in U . S . biofuel targets and preserving the future integrity of the RFS .”

Clean Fuels Conference continues on page 30 .

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