This case involves the use by Shell Oil Products US, ( SOPU ) of 105,615 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, SOPU paid a $10,562 civil penalty. In addition, SOPU removed the invalid RINs from its 2010 - 2012 RFS annual compliance reports and resubmitted the reports to EPA.
For more information, see the RFS webpage at http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/civil-enforcement-renewable-fuel-standard-program