(NAFB) – The ethanol industry faces a new challenge after years of fighting with the oil industry over biofuel credit waivers.

Delta Air Lines stopped buying so-called RIN biofuel credits its oil refining arm needs to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard, Reuters reported recently.

It’s a $346 million liability Delta hopes the White House will excuse, on the heels of the Biden EPA’s moving to end a case involving Trump EPA waivers for Sinclair Oil.

Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper…

Reuters reported Delta is working to convince the White House its Pennsylvania refinery, Monroe Energy, can’t afford the now higher cost RIN credits.

And it’s not just about pandemic revenue losses, but Biden’s support of high-paying union jobs, labor and refinery leaders argue could be lost.

Cooper counters…

Delta reported a net loss of more than 2-and-a-quarter billion dollars for the quarter ended March 31—Delta’s fifth consecutive quarterly loss, blamed on the pandemic.

But Cooper argues his industry also lost billions during the pandemic, as drivers stopped driving.