By: ACE Staff
Photos Taken By: Laura McNamara
As key decisions approach on year-round E15, 45Z implementation, and the future of the RFS, ACE members delivered a unified industry voice in Washington.
For 15 years, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Fly-In has brought more than 700 advocates from over 30 states to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and Administration officials. In 2026, attendees returned to Capitol Hill with year-round E15 once again at the forefront.
ACE participants met with Aaron Szabo, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, to discuss emergency action allowing nationwide E15 in 2026 and a path to a permanent fix, along with proposed RFS volumes for 2026 and 2027. The following week, EPA issued a summer E15 waiver and finalized its Set 2 Rule—establishing record-high volume obligations and partially reallocating 70% of small refinery exemptions (SREs) issued between 2023 and 2025.
The group also engaged with USDA Acting Director of Energy and Environmental Policy Kate Zook and Jeff O’Hara, Deputy Director of the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. Discussions focused on USDA’s technical guidelines for measuring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas emissions from biofuel feedstocks, and the Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator (FD-CIC). Updates were also provided on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).
ACE continues to advocate for incorporating USDA’s guidelines and FD-CIC into the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. While Treasury released a 45Z proposal in February, additional clarity is needed—particularly regarding low-carbon farming practices. Fly-In participants also emphasized opportunities to expand both domestic and global markets for U.S. ethanol.
Looking ahead, the 16th Annual ACE Fly-In will return March 17-18, 2027. Stay tuned for details—and plan to join us in putting a face behind ethanol.
ADVOCATES IN ACTION: Despite weather disrupting travel for some, a great group of ethanol advocates joined ACE for its 15th annual Fly-In, taking meetings with members of Congress and their staff.
EPA VISIT: EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Aaron Szabo spent time with attendees, addressing year-round E15 and EPA’s final Set 2 RFS Rule. The week following EPA granted an emergency E15 waiver and finalized its RFS volumes.
INSIGHT FROM USDA: Kate Zook, Acting Director of USDA’s Office of Energy and Environmental Policy, within the Office of the Chief Economist, joined attendees to speak about USDA’s biofuel feedstock rule, the FD-CIC, 45Z, and provide a market update.
Q&A SESSION: ACE newly appointed board president Troy Knecht, representing Redfield Energy in South Dakota, addressed EPA’s Aaron Szabo during the event.
E15 NOW: Securing year-round E15 legislation was a top priority at this year’s Fly-In once again, including conversations with Rural Domestic Energy Council members. The council was formed earlier this year to develop E15 legislation in an attempt to balance refiner and biofuel interests.
SENATE LEADERSHIP: Senate Ag Chair John Boozman (AR) met with ACE members Ron Alverson and Todd Brown with Dakota Ethanol, as well as Bruce Vollan of Vollan Oil Company in Baltic, South Dakota, to discuss E15.
HILL MEETING IN ACTION: Fly-In attendees met with Senator Deb Fischer’s (NE) office, lead sponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, one of the most important pieces of legislation pending in Congress to allow the sale for E15 year-round nationwide.
ON THE HILL: South Dakota attendees Todd Brown (L), Troy Knecht (middle R), Chris Studer (R), and Nebraska attendee Kim Herzog (middle) met with Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD) to discuss the role biofuels play in strengthening rural economies, lowering costs at the pump, and expanding markets for South Dakota farmers.
ENGAGING LAWMAKERS: Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) met with constituents Harmon Wilts and Doug Schliep with Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company during the ACE Fly-In. She’s a member of the recently formed E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council.
FACE TO FACE: Attendees John Christianson with Beyond Agribusiness Solutions, Jackie Hayes with Whitefox Technologies, and Rick Schwarck with Absolute Energy met with Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15).
RETAILER PERSPECTIVE: Retired fuel retailer of Good & Quick in Nevada, Iowa, Charlie Good and his daughter Addison, along with ACE CMO and former fuel retailer Ron Lamberty visited with Jim Baird (IN-04) while out on the Hill.
Testimonials:
“There has never been a more impactful time for our ethanol industry to come together than at this year's ACE Fly-In. We had opportunities to meet with legislators to impress upon them the importance of the pending E15, RFS, SRE, and 45Z legislation and regulations. ACE does a great job of organizing the Fly-In to maximize our impact for the ethanol industry.” – John Christianson, Beyond Agribusiness Solutions, LLC
“If you want to make a difference in the ethanol industry this event is a must attend. There is no way I could plan my day as well as the ACE staff does. Our time is valuable, so attending as many Hill visits as possible is a great use of my time. I feel like we have made a difference with the people we met with.” – Todd Brown, Dakota Ethanol
“The ACE Fly-In is an extremely well-organized and impactful event! The ACE team does a super job ensuring we're well prepared with the top priority issues and have a great schedule of meetings. It's so important to get face to face with the people creating policy to ensure our voices are heard." – Kim Herzog, Encore Energy Services