(Washington, D.C. -- May 3, 2006)
Clean-Burning Gas Benefits Will Continue with More Flexibility
Contact: John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov
On May 5, an EPA final action will take effect that will provide U.S. oil
refiners with more flexibility while maintaining the significant clean air
benefits of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) program. As required by the Energy
Policy Act of 2005, EPA is removing the RFG two-percent oxygen content
requirement that reduces production burdens while continuing to protect the
environment.
RFG is made up of many components to ensure low vehicle emissions. Although
oxygenates can be used to produce RFG, other gasoline components can be used to
ensure that RFG continues to meet its clean air requirements.
This removal of the two-percent oxygen requirement takes immediate effect on May
5 with its publication in the Federal Register.
RFG is required by the Clean Air Act in large metropolitan areas with the
greatest ozone pollution, but other areas may choose to use RFG to take
advantage of its clean air benefits. Seventy-five million Americans across 17
states and the District of Columbia breathe cleaner air as a result of the
program. EPA estimates that RFG reduces emissions of ozone-forming pollutants
by 105,000 tons per year, the equivalent of eliminating the ozone pollution from
16 million cars. RFG also reduces toxic pollutants by about 24,000 tons per
year, the equivalent of eliminating the toxic emissions from over 13 million
vehicles.
More information:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg_regs.htm
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