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API: Final Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Rule Simplifies Compliance, Maintains Stringency of Environmental Performance Standards


202.682.8114 | press@api.org



WASHINGTON, October 15, 2020 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) issued the following statement welcoming the release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Fuels Regulatory Streamlining Rule.

“We support EPA’s efforts to modernize its regulations while maintaining the stringency of existing environmental performance standards,” API Vice President of Downstream Policy Ron Chittim. “Removing outdated and duplicative regulations will strengthen oversight and accountability, provide needed certainty for the regulated community and make fuel distribution more efficient in the marketplace.”

The final rule provides an important update to EPA’s fuel quality regulations while maintaining the stringency of existing environmental standards. For example, the final rule:

  • Removes outdated and duplicative gasoline and diesel fuel regulations and consolidates regulations for EPA’s various fuel programs into a set of rules for regulated entities.
  • Establishes a vapor pressure limit to distinguish Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) in summer months. In the 25 years since the RFG program was created, new EPA programs have improved gasoline quality and environmental performance to the point that vapor pressure is the only characteristic that distinguishes RFG and non-RFG gasoline in summer months.
  • Removes location specific gasoline distribution requirements in the non-summer seasons by formally acknowledging all winter gasoline meets Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) standards.
  • Establishes the National Fuel Sampling Program that will monitor the quality of motor fuels distributed at gasoline stations and ensure they meet the same strict environmental performance standards required as when those fuels left the refinery.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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