Attorney General Marty Jackley is joining a group of colleagues asking federal officials to investigate whether refiners are following renewable fuel guidelines.
The Renewable Fuel Standard program requires large refiners to produce a certain amount of ethanol-blended fuels. Refineries can apply for hardship exemptions under certain conditions.
However, Jackley said some refineries that have claimed hardship exemptions are reporting high profits. He said that may indicate companies are skirting requirements.
Jackley, along with attorneys general of Iowa and Nebraska, are sending a letter to the United States Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and Securities and Exchange Commission asking them to investigate. The letter asks these federal agencies to share information to determine if refineries touting their profits to one agency and claiming hardship to another are in compliance with RFS production and exemption standards.
“Renewable fuels are important to South Dakota’s economy, especially rural communities; but if refineries are not following the rules, they hurt our state’s farmers and ethanol industry,” said Jackley in a statement released Monday. “Skirting RFS requirements thwarts the President’s national energy policy. The federal government needs to ensure that the RFS’ integrity is maintained.”