Time Has Run Out for EPA to Appeal 10th Circuit Biofuels Ruling

Reuters writer Richard Valdmanis reported on Wednesday that, “Time has run out for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to challenge a federal court ruling that would limit the agency’s use of waivers exempting small oil refineries from the country’s biofuels regulations.

“The EPA had until the end of March 24 to file a challenge, but by early March 25, no such filing had been entered, according to a Reuters review of the case docket though the U.S. government’s electronic public access service for court records.

A decision by the administration of President Donald Trump not to appeal the ruling would mark a big win for the U.S. corn lobby and a blow to the oil industry.

DTN writer Todd Neeley reported on Wednesday that, “The administration’s actions have been a roller coaster ride for ethanol, biodiesel and farmers, who have been battling ongoing market difficulties.

“The odds of the 10th Circuit agreeing to an en banc hearing are long, as the court grants a hearing in just one-tenth of 1% of cases.”

Last week, Bloomberg writer Jennifer A Dlouhy reported that, “The Trump administration doesn’t plan to challenge a federal court ruling that dramatically curbs its ability to exempt oil refineries from biofuel-blending requirements, according to three people familiar with the matter.

“Under a decision reached late this week by top administration officials, the Environmental Protection Agency will now apply that 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling nationwide, so that just a handful of U.S. refineries remain eligible for the valuable exemptions. The decision, which follows weeks of deliberations, was described by the people, who asked not to be named before a formal announcement.”

Ms. Dlouhy indicated that, “The administration briefly planned to file an appeal en banc — asking the full 10th Circuit to rehear the case — before a backlash from farming advocates and appeals from Iowa lawmakers. The EPA and Justice Department faced a March 24 deadline to file an appeal, after seeking more time to consider the matter.

“Citing the coronavirus and the current market downturn, refiners have implored the Trump administration for emergency relief, including reducing biofuel-blending requirements nationwide. The EPA has authority under the Clean Air Act to pare annual blending requirements if it determines they ‘would severely harm the economy or environment of a state, a region or the United States.'”

More specifically on the COVID-19 impacts on ethanol markets, Bloomberg writer Michael Hirtzer reported last week that, “U.S. ethanol makers are either halting or significantly cutting their production after the rout in oil prices made biofuels uncompetitive against gasoline, and as coronavirus keeps many drivers off the road.

With oil prices down, ethanol makers lose about 25 cents per gallon of biofuel, said Scott Richman, chief economist at the Renewable Fuels Association trade group. Ethanol this week fell to a record low of less than $1 per gallon.

The Bloomberg article added that, “If too many drivers stay home, there won’t be enough storage available to stow away unused ethanol. That could force plants to close down, according to Jeanne McCaherty, the chief executive officer of Guardian Energy Management, which overseas ethanol plants in Minnesota, North Dakota and Ohio.”

And Reuters writer Jarrett Renshaw reported this week that, “U.S. ethanol producer POET said on Monday that it has suspended corn buying ‘at a number of locations’ due to weak biofuel demand and is evaluating its production levels.

“‘POET has not idled any biorefineries; however, we have temporarily ceased corn purchases at a number of locations and are actively evaluating biofuel production levels to reflect falling gasoline demand,’ said spokeswoman Jessica Sexe.”

Also this week, Reuters writers Stephanie Kelly, Ahmad Ghaddar, and Koustav Samanta reported that, “Prices and profit margins for motor and aviation fuels globally are under severe pressure from a plunge in demand as countries enforce lockdowns and airlines ground planes, forcing more refineries to reduce output.”

“Refining margins for gasoline and jet fuel have tanked because of decreased demand for transportation fuels, as the disease outbreak has forced businesses to close and governments to push residents to avoid travel and public places,” the Reuters article said.

Gregory Meyer reported on Wednesday at The Financial Times Online that, “Stay-at-home restrictions to control the pandemic have undercut US petrol consumption by almost two-thirds, or 6m barrels a day, RBC Capital Markets estimates. The decline will hit ethanol hard as it comprises about 10 per cent of most petrol sold in the US.

“The looming demand shock is reverberating through the rural US Midwest, where four in 10 bushels of the corn crop is consumed by ethanol plants. Corn futures in Chicago have declined by 8 per cent since March 1 to below $3.50 a bushel.

“‘We’re losing money pretty fast right now,’ said Daryl Haack, a farmer and board member of Little Sioux Corn Processors, an ethanol plant in north-west Iowa. His board planned to convene on Thursday to discuss whether to slow down output, he said.”