Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) have led an initiative with more than 40 congressional colleagues, including the full Texas Republican Delegation, to address proposed changes to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) rule for 2026 and 2027.
The group sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recommending that the agency modify its June 2025 proposed rule. The lawmakers argue that these changes are necessary to lower fuel costs for Americans, maintain competitiveness in the liquid fuels manufacturing industry, and support President Trump and Administrator Zeldin’s energy policy goals.
In their letter, they wrote: “[we] commend your effective leadership in implementing President Trump’s mission to ‘Unleash American Energy’ by swiftly reversing the Biden administration’s all-out assault on domestic energy production…To maintain the viability of the liquid fuel manufacturing industry and keep energy costs low for American consumers and businesses, it is critical the EPA modifies its June 2025 proposed rule on Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) established under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2026 and 2027.”
The recommendations include aligning RVO volumes with available domestic feedstocks, preventing regulatory compliance burdens from shifting to larger refiners when Small Refinery Exemptions are granted, and maintaining a full Renewable Identification Number value for imported renewable fuels and feedstocks.
The letter was signed by Representatives from Texas as well as other states. Among those joining Pfluger and Arrington were Randy Weber (TX-14), Chip Roy (TX-21), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Kevin Hern (OK-01), John R. Carter (TX-31), Barry Moore (AL-01), Scott Perry (PA-10), Tom Cole (OK-04), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Nick LaLota (NY-01), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Roger Williams (TX-25), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Brian Babin (TX-36), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), John Joyce, M.D. (PA‑13); Brandon Gill (TX‑26); Monica De La Cruz (TX‑15); Craig Goldman (TX‑12); Ronny L. Jackson (TX‑13); Tony Gonzales (TX‑23); Vince Fong (CA‑20); Nick Langworthy (NY‑23); John Moolenaar (MI‑02); Pat Fallon (TX‑04); Troy Downing (MT‑02); Nicole Malliotakis (NY‑11); Troy Nehls (TX‑22); Keith Self (TX‑03); Josh Brecheen (OK‑02).
The letter further states: “We, the undersigned Members of Congress representing the most diverse and energy-rich producing regions in the country, commend your effective leadership in implementing President Trump’s mission to “Unleash American Energy” by swiftly reversing the Biden administration’s all-out assault on domestic energy production. U.S. refineries are critical to achieving President Trump’s goals to restore American energy dominance, as a strong and competitive liquid fuel manufacturing industry is vital to maintaining low gasoline and energy prices while limiting inflation.”
It continues: “To maintain the viability of the liquid fuel manufacturing industry and keep energy costs low for American consumers and businesses, it is critical the EPA modifies its June 2025 proposed rule on Renewable Volume Obligations… When finalizing this rule, we urge you to consider the impact the refining sector has on the American economy…”
The lawmakers recommend minimizing increases in RVO obligations due to concerns about unsustainable burdens on refineries that could raise costs for consumers. They also emphasize that Small Refinery Exemptions should not result in additional regulatory obligations being shifted onto larger companies.
Finally, they call for maintaining a full RIN value for imported renewable fuels because domestic producers depend on global supply chains for cost-effective feedstocks.
August Pfluger has served as U.S. Representative for Texas’s 11th District since 2021 after replacing Mike Conaway. In his first election victory in 2020, he won decisively against Jon Mark Hogg.
The members conclude their letter by thanking Administrator Zeldin for supporting domestic liquid fuels industries.
