Tell Your Lawmakers to Hold EPA Accountable and Protect Rural America!

The EPA has recently issued unwarranted RFS small refinery “hardship” waivers to an outrageous number of refiners that are neither small nor experiencing the economic hardship that is necessary to qualify for a waiver. The irrational distribution of these waivers contradicts the intent of the RFS and exceeds far beyond what Congress had intended when they included this exemption. When used improperly, these small refinery exemptions are nothing more than a handout for already prosperous refiners that removes any incentive for them to comply with the RFS and blend renewable biofuels.

If this practice continues, it would be devastating to biofuels, American farmers, and our rural economy. Some estimate that these actions could:

Cut ethanol demand by 1.5 billion gallons
Reduce corn demand by more than 500 million bushels

EPA must immediately cease issuing these unprecedented waivers and halt any waiver applications being considered until further studies can confirm that these waivers are being granted through a transparent process that is consistent with the goals and Congressional intent of the RFS.

We need your voice and ask that you reach out to your elected officials to let them know that the manner in which the EPA is administering these waivers is unreasonable, disingenuous, and guts the RFS.

Do not let the EPA undermine and gut the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Stand up for homegrown, renewable biofuels today!

Subject:

Please Hold EPA Accountable for RFS Small Refinery Exemption Process

Dear Official,

I write today to request that the EPA immediately cease issuing small refinery waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and pause any applications that are currently being considered until the EPA can assure that the reasoning for issuing the waivers is consistent with the goals of the RFS.

The EPA has recently issued unwarranted RFS small refinery “hardship” waivers to a considerable number of refiners that are neither small nor experiencing the economic hardship that is required in order to even be considered for these waivers. The liberal, unchecked use of these waivers contradicts the goals of the RFS and exceeds far beyond what Congress had intended when they included this exemption in the RFS. The small refinery exemption was designed for refiners who actually meet the criteria for waiver eligibility, not as a handout for any large, economically successful refiner that requests one.

If this irrational exemption waiver process continues, it will be devastating to American farmers and rural communities. Some estimate that these actions would cut ethanol demand by 1.5 billion gallons and a reduce corn demand by more than 500 million bushels.

In addition to asking the EPA to stop carelessly issuing these waivers, I ask that you request that the EPA provide public details of the following:

1) The number of refineries that have applied for this waiver every year since the RFS rules were finalized in 2010 and the aggregate refinery capacity of these requests

2) The number of refineries that have been granted this waiver every year since the RFS rules were finalized in 2010 and the aggregate refinery capacity of these granted waivers

3) Clarity on EPA’s plans to replace the gallons lost when providing these waivers

4) Assurances that the timing of these decisions is not intended to shroud the process in secrecy and prevent stakeholders from commenting about lost gallons through the annual RFS rulemaking process

5) A pledge to make such a financially impactful process open to public scrutiny rather than withholding all information regarding these waivers

Additionally, I ask that you make sure the EPA hears your concern about these actions being done under the cover of darkness and conducts a full study and transparent public comment process before issuing any additional unwarranted “hardship” waivers.

Regards, Your Name

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