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Senate Ag Committee member says it’s time to crack down on EPA waivers

A member of the Senate Ag Committee says it’s time to crack down on small oil refinery waivers.

Minnesota Democrat Tina Smith tells Brownfield the RFS Integrity Act would force the EPA to be more transparent about issuing exemptions.

“At the very least, the big companies that are getting these waivers, that ought to be released in public. But more importantly, we need to just stop (the waivers).”

The bill introduced in the Senate would ensure key information surrounding small refinery exemptions is made public.  It would also require the EPA to report to Congress on the methodology it uses when granting waivers.

Smith says these waivers are being misused and are hurting farmers, ethanol producers, and ultimately consumers.