If a fuel supply disruption occurs in the United States, boutique fuel requirements would make it more difficult to move gasoline supplies around the country, according to a Boutique Fuels Task Force report released June 23 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Boutique fuels are specialized blends used by states to help meet clean air standards.

The report issued, June 23, recommended careful consideration of potential legislative authority to allow for the adoption of regional rather than state clean-fuel programs.

In April, as part of an initiative to respond to high fuel prices, President Bush directed the EPA to convene a task force of states to identify opportunities to increase cooperation on gasoline supply decisions and develop recommendations for reducing the number of boutique fuels manufactured.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the Energy Department to cap the number of boutique fuels permitted for use and place additional restrictions on the growth of such fuels.

The report is available on the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/otaq/boutique-task-force.htm.

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