The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans further reductions in gasoline volatility for summer 1992.
EPA said the new rule will reduce national emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by nearly 7% and reduce formation of smog.
It estimated the tougher rule will cost refiners $464 million/year and increase retail gasoline prices by about 1 o/gal.
EPA added that would be offset partially by benefits, including greater fuel economy, estimated at $234 million/year.
The rule requires refiners to limit the Reid vapor pressure of gasoline to 7.7 psi in the warmer states and 9 psi in the rest during May 1 -Sept. 15, effective in 1992. It issued the rule early to give the refining industry enough time to comply.
Another feature of the rule is a process that allows states to request higher or lower standards-within the 7-9 psi range-depending on local economic or environmental conditions.
NPRA, EPA VIEWS
Urvan Sternfels, president of the National Petroleum Refiners Association, said the rule will be expensive and somewhat onerous for some refiners. "But we have known it was coming."
On the positive side, he said, EPA is allowing a 0.3 lb margin of error in compliance and plans to issue a rule improving its testing and equipment standards.
EPA Administrator William K. Reilly said, "Gasoline volatility control will achieve the largest emissions benefit of any remaining control strategy EPA has identified to reduce emissions of the volatile organic compounds that produce smog. It also is very cost effective.
"The benefits of this rule are substantial in reducing ozone levels and protecting public health. We look forward to additional progress in achieving clean air when Congress reauthorizes the Clean Air Act."
WHERE THE RULE APPLIES
The latest rulemaking limits Rvp to 9 psi in May and 7.8 psi for the rest of the summer in 22 states and the District of Columbia.
The states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The remaining states have a 9 psi standard for the entire summer, except for Hawaii and Alaska, which have no limits.
Last year EPA required summertime Rvp standards of 9, 9.5, and 10.5 psi for states and estimates they lowered VOCs by as much as 6%. Those standards had re placed levels of 9-11.5 psi. EPA noted that cars and trucks with gasoline engines have canisters designed to capture gasoline emissions.
But, it said, "Rising gasoline volatility levels from the addition of more butane during the 1970s and part of the 1980s have resulted in a serious mismatch between vehicle evaporative controls and the vapor conditions they experience.
"These higher levels cause overloading of the current system on hot summer days, allowing VOCs to escape and contribute to the creation of ground level ozone.
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