October Term 2020 · Docket 20-472
Can a new refinery claim a small-refinery exemption extension?
HollyFrontier seeks a waiver. The Renewable Fuels Association opposes the request.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Michel argued the statutory language is straightforward. He stated a small refinery can obtain an extension from the EPA.
Mr. Keisler stated the statute authorizes individual refineries to seek extensions based on hardship.
Mr. Morrison argued the ordinary meaning of extension is to lengthen or prolong. He stated this is the only plausible meaning in this context.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 47-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 47-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 37-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 39-37
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on statutory text. One side reads the word broadly. The other side reads it narrowly.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 39-37
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 27, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-13
What each side wants
HollyFrontier wants the Court to allow a new refinery to claim an exemption extension.
The Renewable Fuels Association wants the Court to deny that specific request.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 39-37
What each side says
HollyFrontier argues the statute allows any small refinery to seek an extension at any time.
The Association argues the word extension only means lengthening an existing exemption.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 39-37
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked the advocates to focus on the statutory text rather than legislative purpose.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if a brand-new refinery could apply for an extension under the side that brought the case's reading.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 47-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 47-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 37-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-53
Why it matters
The outcome defines who qualifies for fuel-standard waivers. It shapes compliance costs for the refining industry. It determines the scope of federal environmental exemptions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 39-37
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 21-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 21-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-23 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 47-23 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 47-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 31-23 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 31-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 37-23 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 37-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-15 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 45-51 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 45-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-13 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-53
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 11-7 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 11-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 39-37
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.