Klobuchar has spent months calling for an end to the harm caused by the abuse of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ‘hardship’ waivers

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) supplemental rulemaking to the 2020 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) to account for gallons anticipated to be lost to small refinery exemptions (SREs).

“As we expected, this new rulemaking is too little, too late for farmers, ethanol producers, and the environment. The White House caused this problem and their attempt at fixing it is only a half-hearted band aid. The President needs to stop issuing these improper small refinery exemptions (SREs) that allow refiners to evade their compliance obligations under the Clean Air Act and undermine the original intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). By making exemptions for his big oil buddies, this Administration has broken its promise to rural America and turned its back on our farming communities. Enough is enough.”

For years, Klobuchar has also been a leader in the fight to strengthen the RFS to support American jobs and decrease dependence on foreign oil. Klobuchar has led several letters urging the Administration to cease issuing small refinery waivers and reject changes to the RFS that would upend stability and predictability for small businesses and rural communities. Earlier this month, Klobuchar sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking the agency to document the impact of small refinery waivers on farm income, commodity prices, and renewable fuel usage.

Klobuchar has also led a bipartisan push for the EPA to allow for the year-round sale of E15, including letters to the Administration urging them to expand waivers for the sale of E15 in the summer months. Klobuchar is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would amend the Clean Air Act to allow for the year-round sale of E15.

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