EPA exempts 31 small refineries in latest renewable fuel quota round

Some 30 refineries have been given the green light for the production of biofuel in the latest round.

EPA is granting 31 small refinery Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) exemptions for the 2018 compliance year, as well as 6 denials. The estimated volume of gasoline and diesel exempted is 13,420 million gallons; the estimated renewable volume obligations (RVO) exempted is 1,430 million RINs.

The number of waivers was fewer than in previous years and marked an increase in the number of petitions rejected. Three applications were withdrawn, EPA said.

Under EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, a small refinery may be granted a temporary exemption from its annual RVOs if it can demonstrate that compliance with the RVOs would cause the refinery to suffer disproportionate economic hardship.