Arizona Clean Burning Gasoline (CBG) was created in 1997 when the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified the Phoenix Metropolitan area as in serious nonattainment for both carbon monoxide and ozone. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, in cooperation with Arizona Department of Weights and Measures, revised Arizona’s gasoline standards to implement the Arizona CBG program in that region.

Arizona CBG consists of the same ingredients as gasoline; however, it is modified to reduce emissions of all pollutants. Use of Arizona CBG reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 29 tons per day, oxides of nitrogen by 7 tons per day and carbon monoxide (during winter months) by 43 tons per day.

These regulations prevented the sale of some forms of alternative transportation fuels such as E85.

The Arizona Senate recently voted 24-5 to pass House Bill 2590, which classifies ethanol blend E85 as a motor fuel and permits it to be used in Maricopa County. A version of 2590 passed the House in February. The bill now moves back to the House to reconcile the two versions.

The bill defines E85—which must meet ASTM D5798-99 specifications—as “not gasoline” but as an acceptable motor fuel. Under the bill, vehicles that run on E85 would count toward requirements that state, school and city fleets contain alternative-fuel vehicles.

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) has been working with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for the past two years providing technical information, emission testing materials, and general background on the use of E85.

The state of Florida also prohibits the sale of E85 as a transportation fuel. The NEVC has also been assisting Florida officials with regulatory adjustments to allow for the public sale of E85. A rulemaking there is anticipated in the next sixty days.

Resources:

• Arizona House Bill 2590 (Engrossed by Senate)