Fuels and Fuel Additives; Elimination of Oxygenated Fuels Program Reformulated Gasoline (OPRG) Category From the Reformulated Gasoline Regulations

Résumé

In this action, the reformulated gasoline (RFG) regulations are amended to eliminate the separate treatment for a category of gasoline used in oxygen averaging. This category, oxygenated fuels program reformulated gasoline (OPRG), includes reformulated gasoline intended for use in a state oxygenated fuels program during the winter time. Under the current RFG regulations, a refiner must meet the oxygen content standards on average for the entire pool of gasoline they produce, and for the pool of gasoline they produce that is non-OPRG. EPA is taking this action because it no longer believes a distinction between OPRG and RFG that is not intended for oxygenated fuels program areas (i.e., non-OPRG) is necessary and because removal of the OPRG category would add flexibility and reduce compliance costs for regulated parties, without producing a negative environmental impact. Today's rule also removes a prohibition on adding oxygen to finished RFG, which will provide parties in RFG/oxygenated fuels program overlap areas with added flexibility in meeting both programs' standards.