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.

The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Illinois corn farmers will be impacted by many provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill that passed in both chambers this week.
By Tara Desmond July 3, 2025
Mid-Year Highlights: IL Corn Top 10 Read Stories
A map of the world with arrows pointing to trade countries
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Trade plays a critical role in driving demand for U.S. corn—not only as grain or feed, but also as fuel.
Top Videos of 2025
By Tara Desmond July 2, 2025
Harvesting the Best: A Look at IL Corn’s Top 10 Videos of 2025
By Lindsay Croke June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.
The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen June 27, 2025
From Springfield to D.C., lawmakers are listening, and Illinois corn farmers are leading the conversations.
Show More