"‘Secret’ EPA Biofuel Waivers Undercut Trump’s Pledge to Farmers"

"Even as President Donald Trump floats the idea of more ethanol sales, critics say moves by his Environmental Protection Agency would undercut the support to corn farmers.

On Thursday, Trump said the government probably would allow the year-round sale of gasoline containing as much as 15 percent ethanol, a blend known as E-15. But some lawmakers and ethanol producers say the change is undermined as the EPA continues its longstanding practice of issuing hardship waivers to some oil refineries.

At the heart of the matter is demand for ethanol, usually made from corn. A federal mandate requires a certain amount of biofuel blending, a regulation that oil refineries have long complained is too expensive and burdensome. The EPA’s waivers allow some of them to skirt the requirements."

Jennifer A Dlouhy and Mario Parker report for Bloomberg April 13, 2018.