Press releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) issued the following statement regarding the White House’s decision to require non-exempt refineries to increase their ethanol usage in order to reallocate unused ethanol from refineries that were granted small refinery exemptions. This requirement would take effect in 2021.

“I am thankful to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler for helping Louisiana’s small refineries by granting exemptions that keep them competitive and further America’s energy independence initiative.  However, we shouldn’t weaponize these exemptions and punish larger refineries,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “The decision to reallocate unused ethanol puts a huge burden on larger refineries and threatens Louisiana jobs.  It also undermines America’s quest for energy independence, and I predict it will further undermine the legitimacy of the ethanol program.  This is a punitive policy move.”

 

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