The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency used too strict of a test when it wrongfully denied Sinclair Oil’s request for an exemption from the country’s biofuel regulations, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday. The ruling could potentially broaden the rules governing such exemptions, forcing the EPA to grant more in future years under the controversial Renewable Fuel Standard program. The EPA denied Sinclair’s request for an exemption from a U.S. policy that requires refiners to blend biofuels like ethanol into their fuel pool or buy credits from those who do. The EPA ruled Sinclair did not qualify for an exemption under the policy’s hardship waiver for small refiners as the company’s two Wyoming plants were profitable and would not be forced to close if they participated in the program. But the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled on Tuesday the threat of […]