EPA's Wheeler Says Agency May Not Grant as Many RFS Waivers

EPA may not grant as many small refiner exemptions relative to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler told Reuters in an interview. Prices for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) have been lower for an extended period, he told the news service. "The RIN prices have been relatively low and relatively calm since last spring so that would tell me that there should be less economic harm in the refining industry right now than there was a year ago," Wheeler said. Acknowledging there is "more than just the price of RINs for economic harm," Wheeler said, "but just by that factor alone, I would think there would be fewer refinery exemptions because of that." EPA is still awaiting recommendations from the Department of Energy on the small refiner waivers, Wheeler said, but still expects those to arrive by the end of the week. Wheeler did not put a timeline on the decision-making for the exemptions, only saying they would be made following receipt of the DOE data.