EPA Approves Emergency Fuel Waiver for Tennessee (HQ)
WASHINGTON -
As a result of the fire that shut down Valero’s Memphis,
Tennessee refinery, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to temporarily
waive certain federal clean gasoline requirements for parts of
Tennessee. This waiver will allow greater flexibility for the fuel
distribution system to support an adequate supply.
This waiver was granted by EPA in coordination
with the Department of Energy (DOE), at the request of Tennessee
Governor Bill Haslam. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson determined
that extreme and unusual supply circumstances exist, which are
likely to result in a shortage of gasoline compliant with federal
regulations. The federal waiver will help ensure an adequate supply
of gasoline in the affected area until normal supply to the region
can be restored.
The waiver applies to 7.8 psi low RVP
requirements that apply in the Shelby County, Tennessee portion of
the Memphis metro area. The waiver is effective for 20 days and
allows the sale of 9.0 psi conventional gasoline in the Shelby
county low RVP covered area. As required by law, EPA and DOE
evaluated the situation and determined that granting a short-term
waiver was consistent with the public interest. To mitigate any
impacts on air quality the Clean Air Act provides strict criteria
for when fuels waivers may be granted, and requires that waivers be
limited as much as possible in terms of their geographic scope and
duration
More information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/caa/fuelwaivers/