As the United States works to rebuild its manufacturing base and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, our biofuels policy must follow the same principle. Protecting American energy independence starts with protecting America’s farmers, and the half-RIN is the most important step the Trump Administration can take to ensure foreign feedstocks do not undercut U.S. production. Without it, imported used cooking oil (UCO) and tallow will continue to displace American feedstocks, weakening rural economies and American businesses.
What Happens Without the Half-RIN?
– Soybean cash receipts fall $2.1B (2026/27) and $2.0B (2027/28)
– Soybean oil and meal value declines $4.8B (2026/27) and $6.0B (2027/28)
– Soybean oil used in biofuels drops 2.4B lbs in 2026 and 3.3B lbs in 2027
– UCO and tallow imports rise 2.3B lbs in 2026 and 2.4B lbs in 2027
Even a Compromise Still Hurts Farmers
– Farmer income still falls $800M (2026/27) and $500M (2027/28)
– Soybean oil use still declines 600M lbs in 2026 and 200M lbs in 2027
– Imports of UCO and tallow still increase 2.8B lbs in 2026 and 3.1B lbs in 2027
Why the Half-RIN Matters
The half-RIN ensures that America’s energy policy reflects America’s values by strengthening domestic production, reducing dependence on foreign supplies, supporting U.S. manufacturing, and promoting rural prosperity. Curbing incentives for imported feedstocks keeps U.S. feedstocks at the center of the U.S. biofuel supply chain.
The U.S. Soy Industry Is Ready
NOPA members represent 98 percent of U.S. soybean processing capacity and can process 60 percent of U.S. soybeans. Since 2023, the industry has invested more than $6 billion to expand capacity by 25 percent, fueling jobs and new opportunities across rural communities. These investments reflect a strong commitment to American-made energy, but they require policy certainty to succeed.
The Path Forward
To strengthen U.S. energy independence and ensure domestic feedstocks remain the backbone of American biofuels, the Administration should finalize the RFS rule with:
– Strong biomass-based diesel volumes
– The half-RIN provision
Finalizing this rule will reinforce American manufacturing, stabilize markets, reduce dependence on foreign inputs, and support the rural communities that power our nation.
Organized in 1930, the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) represents the U.S. soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed, and sunflower seed-crushing industries. NOPA’s membership is engaged in the processing of oilseeds for meal and oil that are utilized in the manufacturing of food, feed, renewable fuels, and industrial products. NOPA’s 20 member companies operate 71 softseed and soybean solvent extraction plants across 20 states, crushing over 98% of all soybeans processed in the United States, the equivalent to more than 2 billion bushels annually. More information at www.NOPA.org.