By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 8 -- Fuel disruptions caused by tropical storms and hurricanes prompted the US Environmental Protection Agency to temporarily waive certain federal clean fuel requirements for six counties in Florida until Sept. 15.
Citing Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna, Hurricane Gustav, and the approach of Hurricane Ike, EPA exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to grant the Florida waiver, which allows greater flexibility for the fuel distribution system.
EPA granted the waiver in coordination with the US Department of Energy following a request from the state of Florida. The waiver affects the following South Florida counties: Broward, Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, and Pinellas.
Previously, the EPA waived certain federal fuel requirements for parts of Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina through Sept. 15.
The temporary waivers apply to the Reid vapor pressure gasoline volatility requirements that apply in certain areas. Gasoline volatility standards are imposed during summer months to help control emissions from motor vehicles. Waivers allow the sale of available supplies of conventional gasoline that have higher volatility limits.
