Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after it was reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted a “hardship” waiver from the RFS to Andeavor, one of the nation’s largest oil refiners, which made $1.5 billion in profits last year. Typically, the waiver has previously been granted to small refiners that were facing economic hardship and in danger of going bankrupt.
“The reports that the EPA has planned on granting an RFS exemption to one of the largest, and most profitable, refining companies in the country is beyond troubling. This waiver is meant to support small refiners with demonstrated economic hardship, not for a company who made $1.5 billion in profits last year. I cannot understand how a company with those profits last year could possibly claim economic hardship. If true, these actions constitute a direct attack on the RFS and on Iowa farmers. EPA Administrator Pruitt must explain his reasoning behind the decision.”
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