FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sign is seen on the podium at EPA headquarters in Washington, U.S., July 11, 2018. REUTERS/Ting Shen/File Photo
The Environmental Protection Agency failed to follow the Regulatory Flexibility Act , which requires federal agencies to create a panel to gauge the impact of new rules on small businesses, the Office of Advocacy said. The EPA has argued the panel was unnecessary because small businesses would not be affected.
A review would threaten the EPA’s ability to meet the self-imposed deadline. Monday was the final day to accept comments on the rule. The EPA rule also calls for reforms to the compliance credit market that underpins the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires U.S. refiners to blend biofuels like ethanol into the fuel pool or buy those credits from those who do.
The U.S. has no E.P.A. until Trump leaves office.