With global trade uncertainty and growing U.S. crush capacity, renewable fuels are no longer just an environmental solution—they’re a key market stabilizer for the North American soybean market.
Last week, Shaun Haney stopped by the Clean Fuels Alliance booth and caught up with Greg Anderson, Nebraska farmer and board member of the Nebraska Soybean Board, in Washington, D.C., to talk about why renewable diesel, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) matter more than ever.
“Biofuels make up about 10 to 13 percent of the net value of a bushel of soybeans,” Anderson says, adding that in a $10 market, “$1 to $1.30 is directly attributed to biofuels.” With that in mind, U.S. soybean stakeholders are pressing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to raise its Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) to 5.25 billion gallons by 2025. “That’s our push—5.25 in five of ‘25,” Anderson says.
The industry already has the capacity, with over 6.5 billion gallons of production potential across biodiesel and renewable diesel. Anderson says feedstocks such as soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, and animal fats are in abundant supply, backed by US$6 billion in new investment and a 30 per cent increase in domestic crush capacity across 10 states.
Domestic use isn’t just a fallback—it’s a strategic pivot. “We’re moving away from dependency on exports to China,” says Anderson. New facilities will also generate more soybean meal, supporting livestock growth and value-added export potential.
As SAF and heating oil markets grow, Anderson believes political and public support will hold. “This isn’t just about fuel. It’s about jobs, rural investment, and keeping young people in farming communities,” he says. “If we don’t use this feedstock in fuels, where does it go? It affects our bottom line.”
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