°®¶¹´«Ã½

The U.S. is ordering refiners to boost the use of biofuels such as corn-based ethanol, as the Biden administration tries to strike a balance between competing political and economic pressures while gasoline prices soar.

Surging gasoline and food costs are weighing on the Biden administration as it prepares to set mandates for the use of renewable fuels.

Climate-friendly diesel produced from animal fats and cooking oils is suddenly a booming business as fossil-fuel giants such as Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. race to cut their emissions and take advantage of incentives.

Renewable Energy Group Inc., a green diesel maker, is exploring options after receiving takeover interest, including selling itself, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The Biden administration sought to thread the needle between warring oil and renewable fuel interests Dec. 7 by proposing modest quotas for the use of plant-based fuels while moving to block exemptions for dozens of oil refineries.

As U.S. President Joe Biden weighs alternatives to lower fuel prices, one move that could bring immediate relief at the pumps is sparking debate: adjusting the Bush-era renewable fuel mandate.

The Environmental Protection Agency has wide latitude to exempt refineries from federal mandates that they mix renewable fuels into gasoline and diesel, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 25, a victory for oil companies seeking a break from the requirements.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The federal government announced Feb. 22 that it will support the ethanol industry in a lawsuit over biofuel waivers granted to oil refineries under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Trump administration advanced a flurry of biofuel policy proposals Jan. 15, including plans that could help ethanol producers sell more of the corn-based fuel.

The Trump administration is expected to exempt some oil refineries from 2019 mandates to use renewable fuel as it readies possible last-minute moves on U.S. biofuel policy.