Trump Administration Does Not Seek Re-Hearing of Tenth Circuit SRE Ruling, ICGA Applauds

March 25, 2020
A statement from the il corn growers association by bill leigh

After hearing the Trump administration did not seek a re-hearing of a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit regarding small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard, Illinois Corn Growers Association President Bill Leigh, a farmer from Minonk, made the following statement:

 

“We have always believed that the EPA overstepped its authority in the granting of so many small refinery exemptions in 2016 and 2017. The tenth circuit agreed with us. And today, knowing that the EPA will abide by the decision and not seek a re-hearing is a tremendous relief during this time of crisis. Allowing the ruling to stand is the right thing to do.”

 

For the 2016-2018 RFS compliance years, EPA issued 85 SREs eroding more than 4 billion gallons of renewable fuel blending requirements.

ICTV
By Tara Desmond July 2, 2026
E15, E20, E30: What the Research Really Shows
Schultz/Miller Family
By Penny Lauritzen - Illinois Agri-Women July 2, 2026
Illinois Agri-Women names three Legacy Farm Families for GoAg3, honoring generations of women in agriculture at an August 21 celebration.
Matt Boucher
By Tara Desmond July 2, 2026
Meet Matt Boucher of Boucher Family Farms in Dwight, IL — a 4th-gen farmer using cover crops, custom application & more. Read his story.
U.S. Capitol with “FARM BILL” text overlayed on the left
By Lyndi Allen July 2, 2026
Chairman John Boozman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released a Farm Bill discussion draft on June 23, 2026.
Cover crops
By Lyndi Allen July 2, 2026
USDA's Regenerative Feedstock Rule provides important certainty for farmers as they begin making crop and input decisions. IL Corn has identified what it could mean for corn farmers.
Green graphic with Illinois outline and corn icon beside bold white text “NEWS RELEASE”
By Lindsay Croke July 2, 2026
ICGA would urge President Trump and the U.S. Trade Representative to build on the President's signature first term trade deal, swiftly negotiate improvements, and provide long term certainty.
Show More