FILE PHOTO - U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) speaks during a news conference to discuss the FBI background investigation into the assault allegations against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., October 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is seeking information from the Department of Energy on how it scores applications from small refineries seeking waivers from the nation’s biofuel laws, according to letter seen by Reuters.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under President Donald Trump, has greatly expanded the small refinery waiver program, angering corn farmers in the U.S. Midwest. The EPA has expanded the program, despite recommendations from the Energy Department to grant fewer, smaller exemptions.