WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) today urged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler to support small refineries across America by continuing to issue Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs).
Recently 12 Senate Democrats sent a letter to Administrator Wheeler urging the agency to stop issuing SREs.
These exemptions give small refineries in Louisiana the ability to remain competitive against larger companies and further President Trump’s initiative for the U.S. to be energy independent. Small refineries across America provide thousands of jobs and help the U.S. be global energy leader.
“I’ve urged Administrator Wheeler to support our nation’s refineries and preserve jobs by continuing to grant justified exemptions in accordance with the law,” said Sen. Kennedy. “The energy industry is essential to Louisiana’s economy and this nation’s energy independence. The biofuel industry wants to rewrite the rules and force refineries out of business. That would kill jobs across Louisiana.”
“Under the Trump administration’s energy independent agenda, we’ve seen new investments bring billions to our country and create good-paying jobs for Louisiana refinery workers,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We need to continue our effort to unleash American energy dominance, our independent refiners depend on it.”
