Sen. Grassley Now Focusing On Appropriations to Address RFS Waivers

Failing to convince EPA to temper their use or even halt the use of waivers for small refiners relative to their Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations, one key lawmaker is now eyeing the appropriations process to impact the agency on this front.EPA and the Department of Energy have pointed to language that accompanied appropriations measures for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 and 2016 and a court case as reasons why the use of the small refiner waivers has increased.But that's where Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, wants to focus – the appropriations process. "But the next opportunity to do that will be when the appropriations bills come out this summer or fall," Grassley told reporters.Indications are that the waivers granted thus far have totaled at least 1 billion gallons of RFS obligations, perhaps more. Grassley indicated that President Donald Trump is aware of the situation even as other issues are jockeying for his attention."I think this president is trying to keep every campaign promise he made, and I think Pruitt is undermining the campaign promise of 15 billion gallons of ethanol through these waivers," Grassley said.