News

Listen to this week's episode: The second week of the 2026 Kansas legislative session began with a shortened schedule due to the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, with committee activity ramping up later in the week. Lawmakers continued to introduce bills and hold committee hearings across a range of policy areas, including education, taxation, tort reform, public safety, and economic development. The first bill of the session addressing property tax relief - a proposed constitutional amendment to cap annual assessments - was advanced favorably from the Senate Tax Committee. With...

Listen to this week's episode: The 2026 Kansas legislative session began on Monday, Jan. 12 as members of the House of Representatives and Senate returned to Topeka ahead of fall elections where statewide offices and 125 House seats stand for election. Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) and Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) gaveled in their respective chambers for what could be the final time as Masterson embarks on a race for governor, while Hawkins is seeking to be elected as the state’s insurance commissioner. Both chambers look to take...

At Renew Kansas Biofuels Association's request, Kansas governor Laura Kelly joined a letter to congressional leaders encouraging their support of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025. Kelly joined governors Larry Rhoden (South Dakota), Kim Reynolds (Iowa), Tim Walz (Minnesota), Mike Kehoe (Missouri), Jim Pillen (Nebraska) and Tony Evers (Wisconsin) in urging an increase of domestic biofuel production. The Midwestern governors pointed to the National Agricultural Statistics Service's forecast of a record-setting 16.8 billion bushels of corn being harvested in 2025, a 12 percent increase from 2024. Passage of the...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced action on a backlog of 175 Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) petitions from 38 small refineries for 2016 – 2024 compliance years. In consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), EPA reviewed and considered information submitted by each petitioning small refinery. EPA then evaluated each SRE petition consistent with the Clean Air Act and case law. EPA is granting full exemptions to 63 petitions, granting partial exemptions to 77 petitions, denying 28 petitions, and determining 7 petitions to be ineligible. EPA stated it...

Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday $25 million for 30 projects to improve intersections and roads across the state. The projects were selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP). A news release from Governor Laura Kelly's office is below. “Enhancing the safety and accessibility of our local highways is made possible by grants through this essential program,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “In turn, these roadway improvements help bring in resources and improve connectivity in various regions of the state.” CCLIP provides funds for cities...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association has submitted a joint letter with Kansas Grain and Feed Association in support of the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (“USTR”) Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trade practices and their impact on U.S. commerce. The letter indicates the associations' support of USTR's mission to uphold fair trade rules and protect American businesses and workers from harmful foreign policies. The letter also provides recommendations on how USTR might address these trade challenges. VIEW LETTER (.PDF)...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association submitted comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the agency's proposed renewable fuel standard program covering years 2026 and 2027. Overall, Renew Kansas supports EPA's proposal as progress toward achieving the intent of the RFS program, including reduction of GHG emissions, bolstering national energy security through a reduction of dependence on foreign oil, and strengthening rural economies by increasing demand for agricultural inputs. The comment discussed multiple facets affecting the renewable fuel industry including: Proposed Renewable Volume Obligations, Imported Renewable Fuel and Domestic Supply of...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association President and CEO Ron Seeber, Senior Vice President Randy Stookey and Vice President Trae Green recently met with United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy and staff members to discuss various regulatory issues, as well as the recently released Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirements for 2026 and 2027. Throughout the two-hour meeting, Renew Kansas, and association professionals from Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska reviewed agency initiatives and how they're affecting agribusiness and the biofuels industry. Specifically, Renew Kansas staff members took the lead in coordinating...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2026 and 2027. According to the agency, EPA’s “Set 2” proposal ensures the RFS program remains true to Congress’ original intent of increasing the use of homegrown American biofuels, unleashing American energy, and supporting rural economies. “We are creating a new system that benefits American farmers while mitigating the impact on gas prices and ensuring the continued existence of liquid fuels,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We can no longer afford to continue with the same...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association diligently works with a coalition of industries and organizations to oppose high electric utility rates. Information regarding Evergy’s proposed rate increase, and how to submit comments and attend public hearings, is below. Evergy has filed an Application with the Kansas Corporation Commission (Commission) requesting a $196.4 million rate increase (8.62%) for Evergy Kansas Central (EKC) customers. If approved, prices would become effective in September 2025. EKC residential customers would have an average monthly increase of $13.05. Evergy’s Application requests updated prices to include nearly $1 billion investment infrastructure...

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