EPA Considers Massive Renewable Fuel Credits Exemption

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) that could cover up to 1.8 billion renewable identification numbers (RINs), significantly above the roughly 1 billion RINs initially contemplated.

The EPA had initially expected to cover around 1 billion RINs, but industry representatives briefed on the administration's plans expect the final exemptions to fall between 1.2 billion and 1.8 billion RINs.

The debate pits refiners seeking relief from renewable-fuel compliance costs against farmers and biofuel producers concerned that broader exemptions could reduce demand for corn-based ethanol and soybean-based renewable fuels.