Page 9 - NorthAmOil Week 08 2021
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NorthAmOil POLICY NorthAmOil
US EPA backs biofuels industry
on refinery waivers
US THE US federal government announced on Feb- “We all understand the anxiety and the fear as
ruary 22 that it would back the domestic ethanol we make this transition that folks in your states
industry on controversial waivers given to oil have,” he told the politicians in public comments.
refineries who were being told to blend biofuels “What I know is we’ve been instructed that we
into their gasoline. are not to leave any community behind. In order
Under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), for us to be successful, every state and every
small oil refineries – with a capacity of less than community has to see itself in our vision.” Regan
75,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude – can be has yet to be confirmed. The EPA now
awarded exemptions if they successfully argue Specifically, the EPA said it will support a
that to blend as much biofuel into their supply decision issued a year ago by the Denver-based agrees that
as required under the RFS would cause them 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals in a lawsuit
financial hardship. filed by the Renewable Fuels Association, a bio- Congress
The controversial waivers skyrocketed in fuels lobby group, and the National Corn Grow-
number during the pro-fossil fuel administration ers Association, American Coalition for Ethanol intended the
of President Donald Trump, a climate-change and National Farmers Union. waivers to be
denier. The new president, Joe Biden, came into The EPA now agrees that Congress intended
office last month with a vow to increase US use the waivers to be temporary. The US Supreme temporary.
of renewable energy. Court, which has a conservative majority
The news is important because it represents because of appointments made by Trump, will
a 180-degree change in stance by Biden’s Envi- hear the case this spring.
ronmental Protection Agency (EPA). Biden Under Trump, the EPA issued 85 retroactive
has described climate-change as a crisis and has small refinery exemptions for the 2016-2018
vowed to increase the use of renewable energy. compliance years. According to the RFA, this
A glimpse of the direction of the EPA under slashed the biofuel blended into gasoline by 4bn
Biden was given by his nominee to head the gallons (15.1bn litres).
agency, Michael Regan, in early February. Regan The plaintiffs, reacting to the EPA announce-
told Congress that the US must make the tran- ment, said: “This announcement marks a major
sition from fossil fuels and that millions of jobs step forward by the Biden administration to
will come from investing in a new green econ- restore the integrity of the Renewable Fuel
omy, reported the Washington Post. Standard and honour the intent of Congress.”
Week 08 25•February•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P9
