Much to the dismay of farmers and ethanol producers, the Environmental Protection Agency has approved five more 2017 Small Refinery Exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and is considering two more petitions for 2018 exemptions, bringing the total to 39.

“It’s extremely disappointing and outrageous to see EPA once again allow oil refiners to undermine the RFS and hurt family farms, ethanol producers and our environment by exploiting and abusing a statutory provision that exempts them from their obligations to blend renewable fuels,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

RFA held a media call just hours before the waivers were announced by EPA to talk about a number of issues, including how the dozens of small refinery exemptions that have already been granted are destroying demand for corn and ethanol. A new analysis shows how ethanol consumption declined in the United States from 2017 to 2018, the first decline in two decades.

Taking part in the call with Cooper were RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman, RFA Chairman Neil Koehler, CEO of Pacific Ethanol, and Steve Walk, COO of Protec Fuel.

Listen here –
RFA media call 3-14-19