WBFA Commends the EPA’s Denial of Petitions for Small Refinery Exemptions from the RFS

September 15, 2020

Madison, WI – The Wisconsin BioFuels Association (WBFA) commends the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the official denial of 54 “gap year” small refinery exemption petitions. Furthermore, WBFA credits President Trump for actively upholding the importance of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for our ethanol and agricultural communities. The decision was announced September 14.

EPA cited the Tenth Circuit Court’s decision from January as an important consideration in rejecting the waiver petitions. The EPA will be applying these petition denials nationwide. WBFA’s president Erik Huschitt made the following statement:

“The integrity of the Renewable Fuels Standard has been under attack by these ‘gap year’ small refinery waiver petitions. We are pleased to see the EPA understands the importance of the RFS and acknowledges the inconclusive evidence that small refineries faced ‘disproportionate economic hardships’. During times like these, Wisconsin ethanol producers need confidence from the Administration and the EPA that blending requirements matter and will no longer be threatened by the oil industry seeking unnecessary exemptions. The announcement from the EPA is a relief for Wisconsin farmers and members of the biofuels industry. We hope this is the end to a challenging chapter for the RFS.”