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

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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.