WASHINGTON DC (May 16, 2019) — Representative Dave Loebsack released the following statement in response to media reports that the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) apparently lied to Congress about their justification for the sharp increase in the number of small refinery-waivers approved for oil refiners, including refineries owned by large oil companies, such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron Corp. It is reported that the EPA loosened its approval standards in order to make it easier for large oil companies to receive waivers months earlier than a 2017 court decision that EPA has used to justify the explosion of waivers issued under this administration.
“These giveaways to large, profitable oil companies must stop before more irreparable harm is done to our farmers and rural communities across the country,” said Rep Loebsack. “I again call on the EPA to suspend granting small refinery-exemptions until Congress is provided with the information necessary to evaluate the EPA’s actions, which they have so far refused to provide. Instead of acting to boost farmers and rural communities, the EPA seems to be following the demands of big oil. I remain deeply troubled by the lack of transparency and continued manipulation of the RFS program by the EPA through the misuse of the small refinery-exemption process, and will be demanding answers from the EPA regarding these reports.”
Since the use of the small refinery-waiver has been used to help prop up large oil companies, Rep Loebsack has worked to shine light on the exemption process and demanded transparency from the EPA. Rep Loebsack has long been a supporter of the RFS and will continue to fight to ensure it remains strong.
