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Pruitt says hardship waivers are not subjectively granted
The EPA administrator says so-called hardship waivers are not granted subjectively. Scott Pruitt says granting the controversial waivers for Renewable Volume Obligations is under statutory constraint.
Speaking Tuesday at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Washington Watch, Pruitt said even if a refinery is part of a large company, waivers are considered plant by plant based on the capacity of the individual facility.
“I think there’s been a little bit of concern or perspective that perhaps we are engaged in a subjective analysis,” said Pruitt, “that it’s a matter of policy that we’re engaging in the granting of these exemptions and that’s just simply not the case.”
Ethanol supporters say the waivers effectively lower demand – and therefore the price – of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). Pruitt says RIN price volatility is not good for anyone because it creates issues on Capitol Hill about Renewable Fuel Standard reform.
“We need stability, I think, across the spectrum on RFS issues,” he said, “and that includes the RIN markets as well.”
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