EPA backs off from plan to reallocate RINs lost to hardship waivers

In Washington, Reuters reports that the Environmental Protection Agency has backtracked on an earlier plan to re-allot RIN obligations to other refiners to make up for the 1.8 billion gallons of ethanol demand lost due to hardship waivers granted to smaller refineries. The EPA says the waivers only eliminated demand for 2.25 million gallons. The move would have boosted ethanol blending to 11.76 percent from 10.88 percent while also supporting RIN prices in the short term.