EPA Issues Hurricane-Related Clean Fuel Waivers for Parts of Kentucky and Texas

18 September 2008

As the result of the disruption in the supply of fuel caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, EPA is temporarily waiving certain federal clean gasoline requirements for parts of Kentucky and Texas. These waivers will allow greater flexibility for the fuel distribution system to support an adequate supply.

For Kentucky, the waiver enables the sale of conventional gasoline in reformulated gas areas through 30 September. These areas include Boone, Campbell, Jefferson, Kenton, and parts of Bullitt and Oldham Counties.

This is EPA’s fourth waiver for Texas related to the recent hurricanes. On 11 September, EPA had issued a waiver permitting conventional gasoline with a maximum Reid vapor pressure of 11.5 psi to be sold in eastern Texas. (Earlier post.) EPA is now issuing a superseding waiver to remove the 11.5 psi limitation in these areas through 1 October. EPA had issued an earlier waiver from volatility and reformulated gas requirements in Texas on 1 Sept. (earlier post), and a waiver allowing the suspension of the Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) requirements on 15 September. (Earlier post.)