EPA v. National Cooperative Refinery Association

Case summary

This case involves the use by National Cooperative Refinery Association, ( NCRA ) of 179,628 invalid Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to meet its renewable volume obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS), promulgated under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The (RFS) program requires producers or importers of renewable fuel to generate fuel credits, known as RINs, in proportion to the amount and type of renewable fuel they produced or imported. The RFS Program also requires that non-renewable fuel refiners and importers, known as obligated parties, and renewable fuel exporters obtain valid RINs and retire those RINs each year by submitting them to the EPA. Congress adopted the RFS Program to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, help grow the nation's renewable energy industry and achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The EPA is charged with developing the RFS program and enforcing its requirements. As part of the settlement with EPA, NCRA paid a $17,963 civil penalty. In addition, NCRA removed the invalid RINs from its applicable RFS annual compliance reports and resubmitted the reports to EPA.

Defendants (1)

• National Cooperative Refinery AssociationNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• NATIONAL COOPERATIVE REFINERY ASSOCIATION

  2000 SOUTH MAIN STREET, MCPHERSON, KS, 67460

  Registry ID: 110015862440

• NATIONAL COOPERATIVE REFINERY ASSOCIATION

  2000 SOUTH MAIN STREET, MCPHERSON, KS, 67460

  Registry ID: 110015862440

Statutes cited

• CAA 211 — Regulation of Fuels - Motor Vehicle and Engine Fuels

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• National Cooperative Refinery Associationentered 2015-11-18

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $17,963

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2015-11-18Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2015-11-18Final Order Issued
• 2015-11-25Enforcement Action Closed
• 2016-03-25Enforcement Action Data Entered