Growth Energy sues EPA over RFS exemptions

Ethanol trade association Growth Energy announced that it has filed a lawsuit challenging the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ‘failure’ to address small refinery exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in its 2019 renewable volume obligation (RVO) rulemaking.

The current lawsuit continues the longstanding dispute between the renewable fuels industry and the EPA, centred around the disingenuity of RFS waivers.

In September 2018, Biofuels International reported that Growth Energy, alongside fellow trade association Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), had filed a different lawsuit against the EPA over the denial of its agency records, particularly regarding the small refinery exemptions.

“EPA’s inaction on addressing lost gallons due to small refinery exemptions in this rulemaking is a clear violation of law,” said Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO.

“In doing nothing to remedy these and other deficiencies, EPA has again failed to meet its statutory obligation to ensure that annual RVOs are met each year. Today’s filing calls for greater accountability from EPA to ensure that every renewable fuel obligation is fulfilled as the law intended.”