Growth Energy is evaluating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's latest decision on six small refinery exemption petitions under the Renewable Fuel Standard, saying the outcome underscores the importance of reallocating exempted renewable fuel obligations in future Renewable Volume Obligations.
EPA granted one full exemption and two partial exemptions, each covering 50% of compliance obligations, for the 2024 compliance year. The agency also determined that one 2024 petition and two 2023 petitions were ineligible.
Growth Energy said small refinery exemptions should be granted only when refineries demonstrate that complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard causes disproportionate economic hardship. The organization said it will continue reviewing EPA's decisions to ensure they do not weaken investments in biofuels, agriculture and rural communities that are supported by the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The biofuels trade association also said the latest decision reinforces the need to reallocate exempted renewable fuel obligations when establishing future Renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Source: Growth Energy, "Growth Energy Statement on EPA 2023-2024 SRE Decisions"