Opinion ID: 6317007
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Temporary Exemption for Small Refineries

Text: Congress was aware the RFS Program might disproportionately impact small refineries because of the inherent scale advantages of large refineries and therefore temporarily exempted small refineries from RFS compliance until 2011.1 42 U.S.C. § 7545(o)(9)(A)(i). After a congressionally directed study by the Department of Energy (“DOE”) determined that a number of small refineries would suffer “disproportionate economic hardship” if they were required to comply with RFS, Congress extended the blanket exemption for two more years. See id. § 7545(o)(9)(A)(ii). Thereafter, Congress provided a process for small refineries to petition the EPA “at any time” for an extension of the initial exemption “for the reason of disproportionate economic hardship.” Id. § 7545(o)(9)(B)(i).