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HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC v. Renewable Fuels Association

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
20-472 10th Cir. Apr 27, 2021 Jun 25, 2021 6-3 Gorsuch OT 2020

Holding: Under the Renewable Fuel Program"s fuel blending requirements for domestic refineries, a small refinery that previously received a hardship exemption may obtain an "extension" under 42 U.S.C. " 7545(o)(9)(B)(i) even if the refinery did not seek a hardship exemption every year after initially doing so.in exemption coverage in a previous year.

Judgment: Reversed, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Gorsuch on June 25, 2021. Justice Barrett filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justices Sotomayor and Kagan joined.

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
09/04/2020Motion (20M25) for leave to file a petition for a writ of certiorari with the supplemental appendix under seal filed.
09/04/2020Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 12, 2020)
09/16/2020MOTION (20M25) DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/9/2020.
10/13/2020Motion (20M25) for leave to file a petition for a writ of certiorari with the supplemental appendix under seal Granted.
11/04/2020Motion to extend the time to file a response from November 12, 2020 to December 14, 2020, submitted to The Clerk.
11/10/2020Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including December 14, 2020, for all respondents.
11/11/2020Brief amici curiae of States of Wyoming, et al. filed.
11/12/2020Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Countrymark Refining and Logistics, LLC.
11/12/2020Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers.
12/08/2020Brief of Federal Respondent in opposition filed.
12/09/2020Brief of respondents Renewable Fuels Association, American Coalition for Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union in opposition filed.
12/22/2020Reply of petitioners HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al. filed. (Distributed)
12/23/2020DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/8/2021.
01/08/2021Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers GRANTED.
01/08/2021Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Countrymark Refining and Logistics, LLC GRANTED.
01/08/2021Petition GRANTED.
02/11/2021Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioners HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al.
02/22/2021Brief of petitioners HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al. filed.
02/26/2021Brief amicus curiae of Countrymark Refining and Logistics, LLC filed. (Corrected brief to be submitted - 3/12/21)
02/26/2021Brief amicus curiae of Countrymark Refining and Logistics, LLC filed. (Corrected brief submitted - March 16, 2021).
03/01/2021Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioners GRANTED.
03/01/2021Brief amici curiae of States of Wyoming, et al., filed.
03/01/2021Brief amicus curiae of The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers filed.
03/01/2021Brief amicus curiae of Small Refineries Coalition filed.
03/12/2021SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
03/15/2021Record requested.
03/22/2021The record received from the U.S.C.A. 10th Circuit is electronic and located on Pacer. Sealed documents in this record has been received and electronically filed.
03/24/2021Brief of Federal Respondent filed.
03/24/2021Brief of respondents Renewable Fuels Association, et al. filed.
03/24/2021Motion for divided argument filed by the Acting Solicitor General.
03/30/2021CIRCULATED
03/31/2021Brief amicus curiae of National Biodiesel Board filed. (Distributed)
03/31/2021Brief amicus curiae of Advanced Biofuels Association filed. (Distributed)
03/31/2021Brief amici curiae of Growth Energy and American Farm Bureau Federation filed. (Distributed)
03/31/2021Brief amici curiae of States of Iowa, et al. filed. (Distributed)
03/31/2021Brief amici curiae of Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas and Producers of Renewables United for Integrity Truth and Transparency filed. (Distributed)
04/05/2021Motion for divided argument filed by respondents GRANTED.
04/15/2021Reply of petitioners HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al. filed. (Distributed)
04/27/2021Argued. For petitioners: Peter D. Keisler, Washington, D. C. For federal respondent: Christopher G. Michel, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For private respondents: Matthew W. Morrison, Washington, D. C.
06/25/2021Judgment REVERSED. Gorsuch, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Thomas, Breyer, Alito, and Kavanaugh, JJ., joined. Barrett, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Sotomayor and Kagan, JJ., joined.
07/27/2021JUDGMENT ISSUED.