EPA Issues Emergency Fuel Waiver for Four States After Refinery Shutdown
This fuel waiver aims to mitigate shortages in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Aug 02, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an emergency fuel waiver for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin following a shutdown at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Joliet, Illinois, caused by tornadoes, leading to concerns over gasoline shortages.
In a release dated August 1, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan—in consultation with the Department of Energy (DOE)—determined that "extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances" warranted this temporary waiver. This action, effective through August 20, 2024, aims to ensure an adequate supply of gasoline in the affected areas until normal fuel distribution can be restored.
The waiver relaxes federal regulations and State Implementation Plan requirements for low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) and reformulated gasoline (RFG) in the four states. The Clean Air Act authorizes such waivers when necessary to address fuel shortages, provided that the waiver is geographically and temporally limited to minimize environmental impact.
Following an assessment by EPA and DOE, the agencies ultimately determined that granting a short-term waiver was consistent with the public interest. Both the EPA and DOE are actively monitoring the situation and considering further measures to alleviate the impact of the refinery shutdown.
The Clean Air Act outlines strict criteria for fuel waivers, ensuring that such measures are designed to minimize adverse effects on air quality. The EPA's waiver aims to strike a balance between addressing immediate fuel supply needs and maintaining environmental protections.
For more details on the waiver and ongoing updates, visit the EPA’s Fuel Waiver Page.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.