U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime supporter of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), today issued the following statement after the Supreme Court overturned a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that would have severely limited future Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) small refinery exemptions, which undermine the RFS, give an advantage to oil companies, and do nothing to help South Dakota farmers or strengthen its biofuels industry.

“Small refinery exemptions are a blow to both farmers and the biofuels industry, which are facing a host of challenges as it is,” said Thune. “Just because the EPA will retain some latitude to grant waivers to oil refiners, today’s ruling by no means compels it to use its authority – nor should it. We know the costs of Renewable Fuel Standard compliance are ultimately recovered, which means waivers only serve to undermine the integrity of the RFS and enable oil companies to resist blending cleaner fuels for American consumers. I again call on the administration to work to uphold its commitment to farmers and to get the RFS back on track.”