Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Revision to the Oxygen Maximum Standard for Reformulated Gasoline

Zusammenfassung

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is proposing to revise the regulations for reformulated gasoline in two ways. The first revision would raise the maximum oxygen content for volatile organic compounds (VOC)-controlled gasoline (i.e, summertime reformulated gasoline) under the Simple Model to the maximum oxygen content allowed under section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act (CAA, or the Act), as much as 3.5-4.0 percent by weight, depending on the oxygenate selected. This revision would further provide that the maximum oxygen content of VOC- controlled reformulated gasoline would be lowered in any state, should the governor request a lower oxygen content based on air quality concerns. The second revision would adjust the maximum oxygen content allowed for both summertime and wintertime reformulated gasolines under the Simple Model to account for variations in the density of the base gasolines to which the oxygenates are added.