US court rejects EPA’s decision to withhold small refinery biofuel waivers
US court rejects EPA's decision to withhold small refinery biofuel ... Reuters
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U.S. Appeals Court Strikes Down Biden Administration’s Denial of Small Refinery “Hardship Waivers”
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WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday said it struck down the Biden administration’s decision to deny small refiners “hardship waivers” that exempt them from the nation’s biofuel mandates, in a win for the refining industry.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
In July, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied almost all outstanding petitions from oil refiners that argued the federal requirement that they blend ethanol and other biofuels into their fuel would cause them financial hardship.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found in favor of refineries that challenged the EPA’s decision, including Ergon, Calumet Shreveport, and Placid.
The court said in its 38-page decision that the EPA’s rejection of the waiver requests was “impermissibly retroactive; contrary to law; and counter to the record evidence”.
Under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), oil refiners must blend billions of gallons of biofuels into the nation’s fuel mix, or buy tradable credits from those that do.
The EPA can, however, award exemptions to some small refiners if they prove that the obligations cause them undue harm.
The biofuel industry, including producers of corn-based ethanol, have fought the small refinery waiver program for years, arguing that it has been overused in a way that helps the oil industry but hurts American farmers.
Refiners, meanwhile, have long argued that the nation’s ethanol mandates impose unfair costs on fuel producers and can threaten the viability of small plants.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the decision of the Biden administration to deny small refiners “hardship waivers” from biofuel mandates. This issue is connected to SDG 7 as it relates to affordable and clean energy. The use of biofuels in the nation’s fuel mix contributes to the goal of clean energy. It is also connected to SDG 9 as it involves the refining industry and infrastructure. Additionally, it is related to SDG 12 as it concerns responsible consumption and production of biofuels. Lastly, it is connected to SDG 13 as it addresses climate action through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
- SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
The article highlights the denial of hardship waivers for small refiners, which can impact the share of renewable energy in the energy mix (SDG 7.2). It also raises questions about the sustainability of the refining industry and the need to upgrade infrastructure (SDG 9.4). The discussion of biofuel mandates relates to the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 12.2). Lastly, the article emphasizes the importance of integrating climate change measures into national policies, which aligns with SDG 13.2.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of renewable energy in the national energy mix
- Investment in sustainable infrastructure and retrofitting
- Amount of biofuels produced and consumed
- Inclusion of climate change measures in national policies
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, progress towards the identified targets can be measured using indicators such as the percentage of renewable energy in the national energy mix, investment in sustainable infrastructure and retrofitting, the amount of biofuels produced and consumed, and the inclusion of climate change measures in national policies.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (7.2) | Percentage of renewable energy in the national energy mix |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable (9.4) | Investment in sustainable infrastructure and retrofitting |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (12.2) | Amount of biofuels produced and consumed |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (13.2) | Inclusion of climate change measures in national policies |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: reuters.com
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