EPA's Pruitt Keeps Talking RIN Reform

Reform of the accounting system used for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), the credits refiners must purchase to prove compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) if they do not blend enough biofuels into gasoline, continues to be a focus of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The bankruptcy of the Pennsylvania refiner remains a backdrop for the attention, with Pruitt telling Fox Business News Thursday, "We need RIN reform. It's something I've talked to Congress about."However, Pruitt is mindful of biofuel-backing lawmakers, saying the effort is not about "getting rid" of the RFS requirements, but rather is "about the accounting mechanism to ensure that we have a certain percentage of our fuel actually has ethanol." Biofuel supporters are already pushing back, reminding EPA of commitments they have made on the RFS and some believe the Pennsylvania refiner's issues were linked to their business model, not RFS obligation costs.