The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Wednesday it is mulling new measures to help oil refiners cope with the cost of complying with the nation’s biofuel policy, with a waiver program.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the agency expects to respond soon to a court decision questioning the legitimacy of its waiver program for small refineries, that exempts them from biofuel blending requirements.
Refineries must blend billions of gallons of biofuels into the country’s fuel pool, as required by the Renewable Fuel Standard. If refiners prove compliance would cause them financial distress, the EPA can waive their obligations.
In late January, the US Court of Appeals cast doubt on the program. Some exemptions the EPA has given to refineries must be reconsidered, the court said.
