White House Asks EPA to Expand 2026 Small Refinery Biofuel Waivers to 1.2-1.8 Billion RINs
The White House has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to expand small refinery biofuel exemptions for 2026 to between 1.2 billion and 1.8 billion Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), exceeding earlier figures. The EPA said it has received no instructions on approving or denying specific waiver petitions and has made no final decision.
Under federal law, refiners must blend hundreds of billions of gallons of biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol, into the national fuel supply, or purchase Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) from companies that have already met their blending obligations. Each gallon of biofuel produced generates a corresponding RIN. Smaller refineries, however, may apply for an exemption if they can demonstrate that these requirements would cause them financial hardship.
At a recent meeting, the White House asked the Environmental Protection Agency to set the waiver volume above the previously mentioned figures. The EPA stated that the White House has not given instructions on which waiver petitions to approve or reject, and no decision has been made.