SABR opposes House biofuels bill over soybean and biodiesel concerns

By AI, Created 4:35 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Refiners Coalition is backing E15 but opposing H.R. 1346, saying the proposed package would hurt soybean farmers and biodiesel producers. New analysis cited by SABR projects lower biodiesel volumes and billions in crop-safety-net spending if the bill passes the House.

Why it matters: - The debate over H.R. 1346 now pits broader E15 access against potential losses for soybean farmers and biodiesel producers. - SABR says the bill’s proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard would not deliver a net benefit to agriculture or biofuels. - The Congressional Budget Office estimate cited by SABR says passage could trigger $2.7 billion in federal crop-loss spending over 10 years.

What happened: - The Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Refiners Coalition said it opposes H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, ahead of a planned U.S. House vote on May 13, 2026. - SABR supports E15 but says the proposal “comes almost exclusively at the expense of soybean farmers and biodiesel producers.” - Tom Brooks, Western Dubuque Biodiesel and chair of SABR, said the coalition cannot support the current package.

The details: - SABR pointed to a Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute study released this week that says the proposed automatic small refinery exemptions would not cut ethanol volumes but would sharply reduce biodiesel volumes. - SABR cited a May 12 Congressional Budget Office cost estimate saying the bill would push crop prices, mainly soybeans, low enough to activate agricultural safety-net programs. - The CBO estimate says federal crop-loss spending would rise by $2.7 billion over 10 years if H.R. 1346 passes. - Brooks said the package looks more like an SRE compromise with E15 attached than an E15 compromise with SREs attached. - SABR said it wants to work with stakeholders on a more measured policy that does not disproportionately hurt soybean farmers and biodiesel producers. - The coalition said soybean farmers and biodiesel producers would not receive offsetting benefits from the package.

Between the lines: - SABR is trying to frame the issue as a biofuels and agriculture coalition favoring E15, not as an anti-E15 group. - The coalition’s objection focuses on the bill’s small refinery exemption provisions, which SABR sees as the main source of harm. - The cited studies give opponents a fiscal and farm-income argument, not just an industry-level policy objection.

What’s next: - The U.S. House was expected to vote on H.R. 1346 on May 13, 2026. - SABR said it is open to continued talks on an alternative policy package. - Any final outcome will likely shape both E15 access and the economics of biodiesel and soybean demand.