The ethanol industry is only partially satisfied with the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency action on small refinery exemptions or “SREs” from the Renewable Fuel Standard through last year. The EPA granted 140 full or partial exemptions, denied 28 and declared 7 ineligible.
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the granted exemptions “should not disrupt the marketplace or reduce actual renewable fuel consumption.”
“Together, these petitions represent roughly five-and-a-half to six billion gallons of renewable fuel blending requirements. Let me say again, that five-and-a-half, six billion gallons are at stake with these petitions.”
Cooper and his organization point out the EPA is granting exemptions to small refineries that have already met their RFS obligations and reallocating exempted volumes for 2023 and beyond. He says they continue to question whether small refinery exemptions are “justified” at all.
“We are strongly encouraging EPA, and we strongly believe that the agency should continue the careful and judicious approach that it has taken to SRE petitions over the past four years. But if any petitions are granted, the exempted volumes should be restored and redistributed to ensure the final RVOs are kept whole.”
Referring to Renewable Volume Obligations.
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