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Energy policy defined by various laws and sustainable energy production and use are regulated by several administrative entities.  Agricultural, environmental, and energy laws overlap, each pushing or pulling United States sustainable energy policies.  The Department of Energy's mission includes the over-arching energy sector and systems, as well as promoting United States' energy security.  However, legislation calls for the Environmental Protection Agency to implement the Renewable Fuels Standard.  The Farm Bill that guides much of United States agricultural policy also plays a part, involving the Department of Agriculture particularly in questions of feedstock production and alternative land uses.

The Renewable Fuels Standard specifies a minimum quantity of renewable fuels that must be used in the United States (see graph).  The mandates have not been binding because use has exceeded the requirement so far.  However, the future is uncertain in the face of a rising mandated volume overall, new mandates for different types of biofuels with different greenhouse gas effects, and petroleum prices off their mid-2008 peaks.

Other policies directly affect biofuel markets in the United States.  Fuel blenders receive a tax credit for every gallon of biofuel that they buy for domestic use.  A specific tariff is charged on ethanol imports from most countries, including Brazil.  Some states and local governments offer producer credits or other incentives to biofuel plants.

Scientific facts about the effects of mandates, support and tariffs are necessary for designing policies that meet our society's goals at low cost and with fewest unintended consequences.  At the University of Missouri, the following centers are involved in analyzing biofuel policies:

Community Policy Analysis Center (CPAC)

Economics and Management of Agrobiotechnology Center (EMAC)