14 DAY TRIAL // Recent tropical storms have caused significant disruptions of the fuel supply to the Pittsburgh area, forcing the EPA to temporarily waive certain federal clean gasoline requirements for parts of Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Department of Energy, acted to alleviate the fuel supply emergency that occurred due to refinery or pipeline infrastructure damage in the area.
“I have determined that an ‘extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstance’ exists that will prevent the distribution of an adequate supply of gasoline to consumers in Pennsylvana,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson stated in the approval.
Retailers are required by law to sell the summer blend of fuel, as imposed by EPA during the summer months in an effort to reduce emissions. This is why the state asked for a waiver from the EPA, so it could sell conventional fuel and thus avoid unpleasant situations.
When issued, these temporary waivers are necessary to help ensure that an adequate supply of fuel is available, especially when we are talking about emergency vehicle needs. They are approved under the Clean Air Act, which specifies the criteria for granting a fuels waiver, and the conditions that must be included in a fuels waiver.
There are seven states included in the approval, where gasoline distributors may sell or distribute fuel that exceeds "summer requirements" for volatility.
The waiver applies to 7.8 psi low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) requirements that apply in the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley area. The waiver is effective for 20 days and allows the sale of 9.0 psi conventional gasoline in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland counties.
The man behind this decision was none other than Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett who, back in September, requested the EPA and DOE to closely investigate whether the aforementioned circumstances could cause a shortage of gasoline compliant with federal regulations.
The request was made on the Governor’s behalf by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael L. Krancer, on September 9th, 2011.