Governors Petition to Bypass Renewables Trying to Lower Gas Prices

The governors of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama are petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency for partial a waiver from the Renewable Fuel Standard they say could actually help curb fuel prices.

In a post on X(Formerly Twitter), Jeff Landry, the governor of Louisiana, announced the combined effort in a statement directed at EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

The post says in part, "Americans are paying more for gas and diesel because of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Meanwhile Europe pays zero for the American gas and diesel, and they export it! Time to put American drivers first."

Landry and the other governors say that the RFS requirements, which require that fuels sold in the United States contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels, are harming their states' economies. The governors statement says that this imposes a cost on every gallon of gas and diesel sold.

Americans continue to feel the pain at the pump, something many experts say played a large part in the sweeping democrat victory during the 2026 midterm elections. Some see this move from a coalition of Republican governors as a transparent appeal to their voter base. Those within the renewable fuels industry also disagree strongly with the petition.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw said, “With all due respect to the governors, during this time of high fuel prices, the last thing you want to do is reduce supply. The real solution is to unleash additional U.S. supply, which Congress can do by removing barriers to year-round E15 sales. Ethanol lowers fuels prices because it is less expensive than gasoline and adds gallons to the market. Expanding the use of low-cost ethanol, made right here in America, would lower prices at the pump. Consumers need real solutions, not ineffective political potshots.”

The IRFA went on to say that “blaming the RFS for high fuel prices is misguided and ignores the important role renewable fuels play in expanding U.S. fuel supplies, strengthening energy security and providing consumers with more affordable choices at the pump.”

Additionally, the American Soybean Association warns that granting the petition could “strike a major blow to domestic U.S. soybean markets and rural economies more broadly."

The EPA has yet to respond to the petition.