U.S. Senator Tina Smith: “Protecting Renewable Fuel Standard Signals Trump Administration Heard Concerns From American Farmers Loud and Clear”

WASHINGTON, D.C. [10/04/19]—Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.)—a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee—released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it would account for the harmful abuse of small refinery hardship waivers granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending targets.

“Rural communities, farmers, clean energy producers and agribusinesses need a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to thrive. The RFS supports thousands of local jobs and helps lead to billions of dollars in economic activity, it cuts our dependence on foreign oil, and it helps fight global warming,” said Sen. Smith. “While I wish it had taken less time for the White House to get on board with championing this vital program and cracking down on unnecessary waivers, finally protecting the RFS signals the Trump Administration heard concerns from American farmers loud and clear.”

Recently, Sen. Smith pressed EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to take action, pointing out that the granting of waivers had increased by 370 percent with “small refinery” waivers going to large oil companies under the Trump Administration.