ICGA Responds to the U.S. EPA Proposed Blending Volumes

On December 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a biofuel blending volumes proposal, calling for an increase in the biofuel blending requirement for 2022 of 22.77 billion gallons. The EPA also proposed to add 250 million gallons in 2022 and another 250 million gallons in 2023 in response to a 2017 court decision.

Illinois Corn Growers Association Martin Marr, a farmer from Jacksonville, IL, issued the following statement after reviewing the proposal:

“Corn-based ethanol can be an important part of our nation’s clean energy policy, so its exciting to see the U.S. EPA present a plan to use more ethanol in 2022 to accomplish the administrations climate goals. Unfortunately, the proposal also included a cut in the 2020 volumes which is an unprecedented move to impact the pursuit of cleaner air retroactively. This is a confusing idea from the EPA.

No matter what the U.S. EPA proposes, one important solution to our nation’s challenges will come from corn-based ethanol. It’s available right now, and increased ethanol blends using the infrastructure we already have in place will make an immediate positive impact in our air and climate. Our Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos understands this and has initiated positive change in the Next Generation Fuels Act. ICGA will continue to encourage passage of this bill.”

National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington issued the following statement on the proposal:

“Because low-carbon ethanol replaces high-carbon gasoline and cuts emissions from vehicles, the proposed volumes for 2022 would help the Biden administration meet emission reduction commitments and lower fuel prices. Denying pending refinery exemption petitions and restoring gallons improperly waived in the past are important steps toward restoring RFS integrity. These actions help move renewable fuels forward.

However, reopening 2020 volumes is unprecedented and rewards the use of more oil at the expense of the environment. We strongly urge EPA to move forward with finalizing the strong 2022 volumes while correcting course on the proposed retroactive cuts.”

< Older Post

Newer Post >

IL Corn Leaders Honored with Prestigious National FFA Award

By Lindsay Mitchell • October 31, 2025

Celebrating Illinois Ag Leaders

Girl painting a leaf with brush at a table with paints, leaves, and other art supplies.

Helping Your Special Needs Farm Kid Thrive Through Art

By Emily Graham • October 30, 2025

Farm kids grow up surrounded by creativity—whether it’s building forts from hay bales, sketching tractors, or turning feed sacks into costumes.

Learning to See the Soil Differently: Dan Sanderson’s Conservation Journey (Part 1)

By Tara Desmond • October 30, 2025

When northern Illinois farmer Dan Sanderson started farming in the 1980s, cover crops weren’t exactly mainstream. Government set-aside programs required planting something like oats, but what stuck with Dan wasn’t the paperwork. It was the difference he noticed in those acres the next year—healthier plants and stronger soils. Decades later, that observation led him down a lifelong road of conservation and soil health improvement. In this episode of IL Corn TV, Dan joins IL Corn board member Shane Gray to talk about his path toward regenerative farming, what he learned at a 2017 Soil Health Academy that changed everything, and why he now treats soil as a living system, not something to manipulate. Dan’s story is one every farmer can relate to—trial and error, lessons learned the hard way, and realizing that “good soil” is about more than yield. 🎥 Watch Part 1 now and catch Part 2 soon, where Dan dives deeper into how he’s reducing inputs, improving soil function, and still keeping his yields strong.