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RFA encouraged by Wheeler’s comments on court decision
Much of the discussion at this week’s National Ethanol Conference in Houston revolved around the recent Tenth Circuit Court ruling on small refinery exemptions (SREs). The court ruled that the EPA exceeded its statutory authority in granting three specific SREs.
Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels
Association says they were pleased to hear EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler say
the ruling has the potential to “completely” change the SREs program.
“It was, I think, encouraging to hear
that Administrator Wheeler is clearly taking the decision very seriously,”
Cooper says. “They are evaluating what it means for the program and I think—as you
heard him say—they’re looking at what this means for all small refinery
exemptions.”
RFA believes the ruling should apply to
every small refinery, Cooper says.
“There’s no reason to go to every circuit
court and ask them to find the same thing. We know they will, but why waste
everyone’s time and money. Let’s just get this over with—let’s set the rules of
the game and move forward.”
Ethanol and corn groups say the small refinery exemptions have negatively impacted ethanol demand.
