During a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler answered many questions from senators about his commitment to getting a rule on year-round E15 out in time for the summer driving season.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) wanted to know if EPA has been able to take any action on the rule during the shutdown. Ernst also questioned Wheeler about small refinery waivers pending and if the current low price for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) will impact whether they are approved.
Sen. Ernst questions EPA nominee Andrew Wheeler
Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota asked Wheeler specifically about the timeline for the E15 rulemaking and also brought up the small refinery waiver issue.
Sen. Rounds questions EPA nominee Andrew Wheeler
Oil state Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), critic of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), asked about the “reset” of statutory blending targets under the RFS.
EPA nominee Andrew Wheeler response on RFS reset