Congressional Watchdog to Review Trump Admin’s Use of Biofuel Waivers
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters/Financial Post) The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) will review the Trump administration’s use of waivers exempting oil refineries from the nation’s biofuel blending requirements, according to a letter dated Friday, after lawmakers called for an investigation.
The so-called Small Refinery Exemptions are intended to protect refineries in financial distress from the cost of blending ethanol into gasoline, but the U.S. corn lobby and its representatives have accused the administration of overusing them to help oil companies at the expense of farmers.
The GAO, a congressional watchdog unit, accepted the request from lawmakers – including Iowa Representative Abby Finkenauer, Minnesota Representative Collin Peterson and Illinois Representative Rodney Davis – to examine the administration’s handling of the waivers handed out for the 2018 compliance year. READ MORE
GAO TO REVIEW SMALL REFINERY WAIVERS: (Politico’s Morning Energy)
Dan Leifker: Hold the EPA accountable for ethanol policy (Madison.com)
GAO to investigate EPA’s small refinery exemption program (Ethanol Producer Magazine)
Kevin Malchine: President Trump, remember the Wisconsinites who put you in the White House (The Cap Times/Madison.com)
Do what you were elected to do (Black Hills Pioneer)
Delivering on promises (Lake Mills Leader)
Axne, Finkeauer announce GAO investigation of small refinery waivers (Fence Post)
GAO to investigate EPA’s misuse of small refinery exemptions (Biodiesel Magazine)
Excerpt from Politico’s Morning Energy: GAO TO REVIEW SMALL REFINERY WAIVERS: The Government Accountability Office will review EPA’s use of small refinery waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard, after a bipartisan group of 12 lawmakers requested a review in August, Pro’s Eric Wolff reports. EPA under Trump has dramatically expanded its use of economic hardship waivers for small refineries, a move that has infuriated biofuel, corn and soy interests. GAO on Friday accepted the review request. READ MORE
