By: NATHAN STUEDLE
EPA has approved most of the small refinery exemption requests it considered for the 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard compliance year. The agency announced decisions Monday on 34 petitions from refineries seeking relief from federal biofuel blending requirements. EPA granted full exemptions to 18 refineries and 50-percent exemptions to another 11. Three petitions were denied and two were ruled ineligible. The decisions come as soybean and renewable fuel groups warn that expanded exemptions could significantly reduce demand for biofuels and soybean oil.
EPA says it reviewed each refinery’s information, consulted with the Department of Energy and considered economic factors required under the Clean Air Act. The agency says it will continue monitoring how the exemptions are implemented. The decisions could have significant implications for renewable fuel demand and farm markets as the industry determines how much blending demand may ultimately be lost.