Valero Energy officials want the Environmental Protection Agency to consider a proposal to allow renewable identification numbers or RINS to be tied to U.S. ethanol exports. Nebraska Ethanol Board Administrator Todd Sneller says if the EPA approves this request, it will hurt the Renewable Fuel Standard.
He says he’s concerned about EPA considering this recommendation, along with their recent proposal to reduce volume levels for 2018 for biofuels under the RFS.
Sneller says if Valero’s proposal is allowed by the agency it would essentially make RINS worthless.
Sneller says if the RINS are tied to exports, it would disincentivize those blenders who are already following the rules.