EPA issues fuel waivers for Michigan, other Midwest states after refinery shutdown

(CBS DETROIT) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to issue a fuel waiver for Michigan and three other Midwest states after an outage at an Illinois oil refinery.

Prior to the approval, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the EPA Whitmer wrote a letter to the EPA requesting an emergency fuel waiver that would boost our fuel supply and lower gas prices in Michigan.

The waiver, which was also issued for Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, will continue through Aug. 20.

"The temporary waiver granted by the EPA will help us keep fuel prices stable, ensuring Michiganders can fuel their cars or heat their homes and businesses at a predictable rate. Let's keep working together to stabilize costs and ensure Michiganders can get where they're going and help businesses keep their products moving," Whitmer said in a statement.

ExxonMobil shut down its refinery in Joliet, Illinois, this summer due to severe weather. Hurricanes and tornadoes typically disrupt the fuel network in late summer and early fall.

As required by law, the EPA and Department of Energy evaluated the situation and determined that granting a short-term waiver "was consistent with the public interest," according to a new release. The EPA and DOE will continue monitoring the fuel supply situation caused by the shutdown and are considering additional measures to help alleviate its impact.

"I think we're interested in making sure that we're building up the stocks and, again, having that that additional buffer if something else were to happen," said Dan Scripps, the chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission. "It's a prudent step, and it means that we are better prepared for any challenges that we may face as we get into to the next couple of, of weeks and months," Scripps said.