EPA Grants Small Refinery Exemptions, Citing Future Reallocation
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted 29 small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2025. This decision covers 1.76 billion renewable fuel credits, which are now exempt from blending requirements.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor expressed concerns that these exemptions do not meet the program's intended standard. According to her, exemptions should be reserved for refineries experiencing significant economic hardship, but some of the companies granted exemptions have reported strong or record earnings.
The National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower emphasized the importance of full reallocation of the exempted volume into renewable fuel blending requirements for 2026 and 2027. He believes that without this reallocation, exemptions can reduce demand for ethanol and other renewable fuels.