Direct Final Rule for Approval of
Louisiana's Petition to Relax the
Summer Gasoline Volatility Standard
for the Grant Parish Area
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a
direct final rulemaking to relax the applicable RVP standard in
Grant Parish, Louisiana, during the summer season (June 1st to
September 15th).
Summary of Final Rule
EPA is approving the State of Louisiana's request to relax the federal Reid Vapor
Pressure (RVP) standard applicable to gasoline introduced into commerce in the
Grant Parish, Louisiana 8-hour ozone attainment area (Grant Parish) during the
summer high ozone season - June 1st to September 15th. This action amends our reg-
ulations to change the summertime RVP standard for Grant Parish from 7.8 pounds
per square inch (psi) to 9.0 psi. EPA has determined that this change to our federal
RVP regulations is consistent with the applicable provisions of the Clean Air Act.
Louisiana's request is supported by evidence that Grant Parish can implement the 9.0
psi RVP standard and maintain the 8-hour ozone NAAQS and that relaxation of the
applicable RVP standard to 9.0 psi will provide economic benefits.
Key Elements of the Direct Final Rule
• This rule relaxes the volatility requirements for gasoline in Grant Parish,
Louisiana, during the summer (June 1st to September 15th). It is beneficial
to Grant Parish to use the less stringent gasoline. The more stringent fuel can
only be delivered from locations about 145 miles away which results in higher
fuel costs to consumers.
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Background
In 1987, EPA determined that gasoline nationwide had become increasingly volatile, causing an
increase in evaporative emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles and equipment. Evaporative
emissions from gasoline, referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are precursors to
the formation of tropospheric ozone and contribute to the nation's ground-level ozone problem.
Ground-level ozone causes health problems, including damaged lung tissue, reduced lung
function, and lung sensitization to other pollutants.
To provide for cleaner air and greater public health protection, EPA enforces maximum limits
for the RVP (the most common measure of fuel volatility) of gasoline sold during the summer
ozone control season - June 1st to September 15th. EPA's current regulations establish maximum
RVP standards of 9.0 psi or 7.8 psi (depending on the State, the month, and the area's initial
ozone attainment designation with respect to the 1-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality
Standard or "NAAQS") during the ozone control season.
In order to relax the applicable RVP standard in an area where the more stringent RVP level is
required, an area must be designated as (or redesignated to) attainment and submit a mainte-
nance plan demonstrating continued attainment of the ozone NAAQS with the less stringent
RVP standard in place. In 2004, Grant Parish was designated as attainment for the 8-hour ozone
standard and was required to submit an 8-hour maintenance plan. In Louisiana's 2006 8-hour
maintenance demonstration, the state modeled 9.0 psi gasoline and demonstrated that Grant
Parish will be able to maintain attainment of the 8-hour standard for 10 years, thereby meeting
the requirements to have the applicable gasoline volatility standard relaxed.
Public Participation Opportunities
This rule is being released as a Direct Final Rule because we view it as a non-controversial ac-
tion and anticipate no adverse comment. However, comments can be submitted under a parallel
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. For instructions on submitting written comments, please see
the Federal Register notice, which is available from the Web site below or from the EPA Air and
Radiation Docket (202-566-1742; please refer to Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0002). You
can access the rule and related documents on EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality
(OTAQ) Web site at: www.epa.gov/otaq/volatility.htm.
For More Information
For further information on this Direct Final Rule, please contact Sean Hillson at
hillson.sean@epa.gov or 734-214-4789 or:
Sean Hillson
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Direct Final Rule for Approval of Louisiana's Petition
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