Regulations last checked for updates: May 28, 2024

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: May 22, 2024
§ 1090.200 - Overview and general requirements.

(a) Except as specified in subpart G of this part, gasoline, gasoline additives, and gasoline regulated blendstocks are subject to the standards in this subpart.

(b) Except for the sulfur average standard in § 1090.205(a) and the benzene average standards in § 1090.210(a) and (b), the standards in this part apply to gasoline, gasoline additives, and gasoline regulated blendstocks on a per-gallon basis. A gasoline manufacturer, gasoline additive manufacturer (e.g., an oxygenate or certified ethanol denaturant producer), or gasoline regulated blendstock producer (e.g., a certified butane or certified pentane producer) must demonstrate compliance with the per-gallon standards in this subpart by measuring fuel parameters in accordance with subpart N of this part.

(c)(1) Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the sulfur average standard in § 1090.205(a) and the benzene average standards in § 1090.210(a) and (b) apply to all gasoline produced or imported by a fuel manufacturer during a compliance period. A fuel manufacturer must demonstrate compliance with average standards by measuring fuel parameters in accordance with subpart N of this part and by determining compliance under subpart H of this part.

(2) The sulfur average standard in § 1090.205(a) and the benzene average standards in § 1090.210(a) and (b) do not apply to gasoline produced by the following:

(i) Truck and rail importers using the provisions of § 1090.1610 to meet the alternative per-gallon standards of §§ 1090.205(d) and 1090.210(c).

(ii) Certified butane blenders.

(iii) Certified pentane blenders.

(iv) Transmix blenders.

(v) Transmix processors that produce gasoline from only TGP or both TGP and PCG.

(d) No person may produce, import, sell, offer for sale, distribute, offer to distribute, supply, offer for supply, dispense, store, transport, or introduce into commerce any gasoline, gasoline additive, or gasoline regulated blendstock that does not comply with any per-gallon standard set forth in this subpart.

(e) No person may sell, offer for sale, supply, offer for supply, dispense, transport, or introduce into commerce for use as fuel in any motor vehicle (as defined in Section 216(2) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7550(2)) any gasoline that is produced with the use of additives containing lead, that contains more than 0.05 gram of lead per gallon, or that contains more than 0.005 grams of phosphorous per gallon.

(f) No fuel or fuel additive manufacturer may introduce into commerce gasoline or gasoline additives (including oxygenates) that are not “substantially similar” under 42 U.S.C. 7545(f)(1) or permitted under a waiver granted under 42 U.S.C. 7545(f)(4).

§ 1090.205 - Sulfur standards.

Except as specified in subpart G of this part, all gasoline is subject to the following sulfur standards:

(a) Sulfur average standard. A gasoline manufacturer must meet a sulfur average standard of 10.00 ppm for each compliance period.

(b) Fuel manufacturing facility gate sulfur per-gallon standard. Gasoline at any fuel manufacturing facility gate is subject to a maximum sulfur per-gallon standard of 80 ppm. A gasoline manufacturer must not account for the downstream addition of oxygenates in determining compliance with this standard.

(c) Downstream location sulfur per-gallon standard. Gasoline at any downstream location is subject to a maximum sulfur per-gallon standard of 95 ppm.

(d) Sulfur standard for importers that import gasoline by rail or truck. (1) An importer that imports gasoline by rail or truck under § 1090.1610 must comply with a maximum sulfur per-gallon standard of 10 ppm instead of the standards in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

(2) An importer that imports gasoline by rail or truck but does not comply with the alternative sampling and testing requirements in § 1090.1610 must conduct sampling, testing, and sample retention in accordance with subpart N of this part and comply with the sulfur standards in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

§ 1090.210 - Benzene standards.

Except as specified in subpart G of this part, all gasoline is subject to the following benzene standards:

(a) Benzene average standard. A gasoline manufacturer must meet a benzene average standard of 0.62 volume percent for each compliance period.

(b) Maximum benzene average standard. A gasoline manufacturer must meet a maximum benzene average standard of 1.30 volume percent without the use of credits for each compliance period.

(c) Benzene standard for importers that import gasoline by rail or truck. (1) An importer that imports gasoline by rail or truck under § 1090.1610 must comply with a 0.62 volume percent benzene per-gallon standard instead of the standards in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(2) An importer that imports gasoline by rail or truck that does not comply with the alternative sampling and testing requirements in § 1090.1610 must conduct sampling, testing, and sample retention in accordance with subpart N of this part and comply with the benzene standards in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

§ 1090.215 - Gasoline RVP standards.

Except as specified in subpart G of this part and paragraph (c) of this section, all gasoline designated as summer gasoline or located at any location in the United States during the summer season is subject to a maximum RVP per-gallon standard in this section.

(a)(1) Federal 9.0 psi maximum RVP per-gallon standard. Gasoline designated as summer gasoline or located at any location in the United States during the summer season must meet a maximum RVP per-gallon standard of 9.0 psi unless the gasoline is subject to one of the lower maximum RVP per-gallon standards specified in paragraphs (a)(2) through (5) of this section.

(2) Federal 7.8 maximum RVP per-gallon standard. Gasoline designated as 7.8 psi summer gasoline, or located in the following areas during the summer season, must meet a maximum RVP per-gallon standard of 7.8 psi:

Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(2)—Federal 7.8 psi RVP Areas

Area designation State Counties
Denver-Boulder-Greeley-Ft. Collins-LovelandColoradoAdams Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, 1 Weld. 2
RenoNevadaWashoe.
PortlandOregonClackamas (only the Air Quality Maintenance Area), Multnomah (only the Air Quality Maintenance Area), Washington (only the Air Quality Maintenance Area).
SalemOregonMarion (only the Salem Area Transportation Study), Polk (only the Salem Area Transportation Study).
Beaumont-Port ArthurTexasHardin, Jefferson, Orange.
Salt Lake CityUtahDavis, Salt Lake.

1 That portion of Larimer County, CO that lies south of a line described as follows: Beginning at a point on Larimer County's eastern boundary and Weld County's western boundary intersected by 40 degrees, 42 minutes, and 47.1 seconds north latitude, proceed west to a point defined by the intersection of 40 degrees, 42 minutes, 47.1 seconds north latitude and 105 degrees, 29 minutes, and 40.0 seconds west longitude, thence proceed south on 105 degrees, 29 minutes, 40.0 seconds west longitude to the intersection with 40 degrees, 33 minutes and 17.4 seconds north latitude, thence proceed west on 40 degrees, 33 minutes, 17.4 seconds north latitude until this line intersects Larimer County's western boundary and Grand County's eastern boundary. (Includes part of Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park.)

2 That portion of Weld County, CO that lies south of a line described as follows: Beginning at a point on Weld County's eastern boundary and Logan County's western boundary intersected by 40 degrees, 42 minutes, 47.1 seconds north latitude, proceed west on 40 degrees, 42 minutes, 47.1 seconds north latitude until this line intersects Weld County's western boundary and Larimer County's eastern boundary.

(3) RFG maximum RVP per-gallon standard. Gasoline designated as Summer RFG or located in an RFG covered area during the summer season must meet a maximum RVP per-gallon standard of 7.4 psi.

(4) California gasoline. Gasoline designated as California gasoline or used in areas subject to the California reformulated gasoline regulations must comply with those regulations under Title 13, California Code of Regulations, sections 2250-2273.5.

(5) SIP-controlled gasoline. Gasoline designated as SIP-controlled gasoline or used in areas subject to a SIP-approved state fuel rule that requires an RVP of less than 9.0 psi must meet the requirements of the federally approved SIP.

(b) Ethanol 1.0 psi waiver. (1) Except as specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, any gasoline subject to a federal 9.0 psi or 7.8 psi maximum RVP per-gallon standard in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section that meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section is not in violation of this section if its RVP does not exceed the applicable standard by more than 1.0 psi.

(2) To qualify for the special regulatory treatment specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, gasoline must meet the applicable RVP per-gallon standard in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section prior to the addition of ethanol and must contain ethanol at a concentration of at least 9 volume percent and no more than 10 volume percent.

(3)(i) RFG and SIP-controlled gasoline that does not allow for the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver does not qualify for the special regulatory treatment specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

(ii) Gasoline subject to the 9.0 psi maximum RVP per-gallon standard in paragraph (a)(1) of this section in the following areas is excluded from the special regulatory treatment specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section:

Table 2 to Paragraph (b)(3)(ii)—Areas Excluded From the Ethanol 1.0 psi Waiver

State Counties Effective date
IllinoisAllApril 28, 2025.
IowaAllApril 28, 2025.
MinnesotaAllApril 28, 2025.
MissouriAllApril 28, 2025.
NebraskaAllApril 28, 2025.
OhioAllApril 28, 2025.
South DakotaAllApril 28, 2025.
WisconsinAllApril 28, 2025.

(c) Exceptions. The RVP per-gallon standard in paragraph (a) of this section for the area in which the gasoline is located does not apply to that gasoline if the person(s) who produced, imported, sold, offered for sale, distributed, offered to distribute, supplied, offered for supply, dispensed, stored, transported, or introduced the gasoline into commerce can demonstrate one of the following:

(1) The gasoline is designated as winter gasoline and was not sold, offered for sale, supplied, offered for supply, dispensed, or introduced into commerce for use during the summer season and was not delivered to any retail station or WPC during the summer season.

(2) The gasoline is designated as summer gasoline for use in an area other than the area in which it is located and was not sold, offered for sale, supplied, offered for supply, dispensed, or introduced into commerce in the area in which the gasoline is located. In this case, the standard that applies to the gasoline is the standard applicable to the area for which the gasoline is designated.

[85 FR 78469, Dec. 4, 2020, as amended at 89 FR 14774, Feb. 29, 2024]
§ 1090.220 - RFG standards.

The standards in this section apply to gasoline that is designated as RFG or RBOB or that is used in an RFG covered area. Gasoline that meets the requirements of this section is deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 7545(k).

(a) Sulfur standards. RFG or RBOB must comply with the sulfur average standard in § 1090.205(a) and the sulfur per-gallon standards in § 1090.205(b) and (c).

(b) Benzene standards. RFG or RBOB must comply with the benzene average standards in § 1090.210(a) and (b).

(c) RVP standard. Summer RFG or Summer RBOB must comply with the RFG RVP standard in § 1090.215(a)(3).

(d) Heavy metals standard. RFG or RBOB must not contain any heavy metals, including but not limited to lead or manganese. EPA may waive this prohibition for a heavy metal (other than lead) if EPA determines that addition of the heavy metal to the gasoline will not increase, on an aggregate mass or cancer-risk basis, toxic air pollutant emissions from motor vehicles.

(e) Certified butane and certified pentane blending limitation. Certified butane and certified pentane must not be blended with Summer RFG or Summer RBOB under § 1090.1320.

§ 1090.225 - Anti-dumping standards.

Gasoline that meets all applicable standards in this subpart is deemed to be in compliance with the anti-dumping requirements of 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(8).

§ 1090.230 - Limitation on use of gasoline-ethanol blends.

(a) No person may sell, introduce, cause or permit the sale or introduction of gasoline containing greater than 10 volume percent ethanol (e.g., E15) into any model year 2000 or older light-duty gasoline motor vehicle, any heavy-duty gasoline motor vehicle or engine, any highway or off-highway motorcycle, or any gasoline-powered nonroad engine, vehicle, or equipment.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not prohibit a person from producing, selling, introducing, or causing or allowing the sale or introduction of gasoline containing greater than 10 volume percent ethanol into any flex-fuel vehicle or flex-fuel engine.

§ 1090.250 - Certified butane standards.

Butane designated as certified butane under § 1090.1000(e) for use under the butane blending provisions of § 1090.1320(b) must meet the following per-gallon standards:

(a) Butane content. Minimum 85 volume percent.

(b) Benzene content. Maximum 0.03 volume percent.

(c) Sulfur content. Maximum 10 ppm.

(d) Chemical composition. Be composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.

§ 1090.255 - Certified pentane standards.

Pentane designated as certified pentane under § 1090.1000(f) for use under the pentane blending provisions of § 1090.1320(b) must meet the following per-gallon standards:

(a) Pentane content. Minimum 95 volume percent.

(b) Benzene content. Maximum 0.03 volume percent.

(c) Sulfur content. Maximum 10 ppm.

(d) Chemical composition. Be composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.

§ 1090.260 - Gasoline deposit control standards.

(a) Except as specified in subpart G of this part, all gasoline that is sold, offered for sale, dispensed, supplied, offered for supply, or transported to the ultimate consumer for use in motor vehicles or in any off-road engines, or that is transported to a gasoline retailer or WPC must be treated with a detergent that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section at a rate at least as high as the detergent's LAC over the VAR period.

(b) The LAC of the detergent must be determined by the gasoline detergent manufacturer using one of the following methods:

(1) The detergent must comply with one of the deposit control testing methods specified in § 1090.1395.

(2) The detergent must have been certified prior to January 1, 2021, under the intake valve deposit control requirements of 40 CFR 80.165(b) for any of the detergent certification options under 40 CFR 80.163. Di-tertiary butyl disulfide may have been used to meet the test fuel specifications under 40 CFR 80.164 associated with the intake valve deposit control requirements of 40 CFR 80.165(b). A party compliant with this paragraph (b)(2) is exempt from the port fuel injector deposit control requirements of 40 CFR 80.165(a).

(3) A gasoline detergent manufacturer must produce detergents consistent with their detergent certifications for detergents certified prior to January 1, 2021, and with the specific composition information submitted as part of the registration of detergents under 40 CFR 79.21(j) thereafter.

§ 1090.265 - Gasoline additive standards.

(a) Any gasoline additive that is added to, intended for adding to, used in, or offered for use in gasoline at any downstream location must meet all the following requirements:

(1) Registration. The gasoline additive must be registered by a gasoline additive manufacturer under 40 CFR part 79.

(2) Sulfur content. The gasoline additive must contribute less than or equal to 3 ppm on a per-gallon basis to the sulfur content of gasoline when used at the maximum recommended concentration.

(3) Treatment rate. Except for oxygenates, the gasoline additive(s) must be used at a maximum treatment rate less than or equal to a combined total of 1.0 volume percent.

(b) Any fuel additive blender that is not otherwise subject to any other requirement in this part and only blends a gasoline additive that meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section into gasoline is not subject to any requirement in this part solely due to this gasoline additive blending, except the downstream sulfur per-gallon standard in § 1090.205(c), if all the following conditions are met:

(1) The fuel additive blender blends gasoline additives into gasoline at a concentration less than or equal to a combined total of 1.0 volume percent.

(2) The fuel additive blender does not add any other blendstock into the gasoline except for oxygenates that meet the requirements in § 1090.270.

(c) Any person who blends any fuel additive that does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section is a gasoline manufacturer and must comply with all requirements applicable to a gasoline manufacturer under this part.

(d) Any gasoline additive used or intended for use to comply with the gasoline deposit control requirement in § 1090.260(a) must meet the gasoline deposit control standards under § 1090.260(b).

§ 1090.270 - Gasoline oxygenate standards.

(a) All oxygenates designated for blending with gasoline or blended with gasoline must meet the following per-gallon standards:

(1) Sulfur content. Maximum 10 ppm.

(2) Chemical composition. Be composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.

(b) DFE designated for blending into gasoline or blended with gasoline must meet the following additional requirements:

(1) Denaturant type. Only PCG, gasoline blendstocks, NGLs, or certified ethanol denaturant that meets the requirements in § 1090.275 may be used as denaturants.

(2) Denaturant concentration. The concentration of all denaturants used in DFE must not exceed 3.0 volume percent.

§ 1090.275 - Ethanol denaturant standards.

(a) Standard for all ethanol denaturant. All ethanol denaturant, certified or uncertified, used to produce DFE must be composed solely of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

(b) Standards for certified ethanol denaturant. In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, certified ethanol denaturant must meet the following requirements:

(1) Sulfur content per-gallon standard. Maximum 330 ppm. If the certified ethanol denaturant producer represents a batch of denaturant as having a maximum sulfur content less than 330 ppm on the PTD (for example, less than or equal to 120 ppm), then the actual sulfur content must be less than or equal to the stated value.

(2) Denaturant type. Only PCG, gasoline blendstocks, or NGLs may be used to produce certified ethanol denaturant.

§ 1090.285 - RFG covered areas.

For purposes of this part, the RFG covered areas are as follows:

(a) RFG covered areas specified in 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(10)(D):

Table 1 to Paragraph (a)—RFG Covered Areas Under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(10)(D)

Area designation State Counties Independent cities
Los Angeles-Anaheim-RiversideCaliforniaLos Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, 1 Riverside 2
San Diego CountyCaliforniaSan Diego
Greater ConnecticutConnecticutHartford, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, Windham, Fairfield (only the City of Shelton), Litchfield (all except the towns of Bridgewater and New Milford)
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island-ConnecticutConnecticutFairfield (all except the City of Shelton), Litchfield (only the towns of Bridgewater and New Milford)
New JerseyBergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union
New YorkBronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester
Philadelphia-Wilmington-TrentonDelawareKent, New Castle
MarylandCecil
New JerseyBurlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Salem
PennsylvaniaBucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia
Chicago-Gary-Lake CountyIllinoisCook, Du Page, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Grundy (only Aux Sable Township and Goose Lake Township), Kendall (only Oswego Township)
IndianaLake, Porter
BaltimoreMarylandAnne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, HowardBaltimore.
Houston-Galveston-BrazoriaTexasBrazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Waller
Milwaukee-RacineWisconsinKenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington, Waukesha

1 That portion of San Bernardino County, CA that lies south of latitude 35 degrees, 10 minutes north and west of longitude 115 degrees, 45 minutes west.

2 That portion of Riverside County, CA that lies to the west of a line described as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 4, Township 2 South, Range 5 East, a point on the boundary line common to Riverside and San Bernardino Counties; then southerly along section lines to the centerline of the Colorado River Aqueduct; then southeasterly along the centerline of said Colorado River Aqueduct to the southerly line of Section 36, Township 3 South, Range 7 East; then easterly along the township line to the northeast corner of Section 6, Township 4 South, Range 9 East; then southerly along the easterly line of Section 6 to the southeast corner thereof; then easterly along section lines to the northeast corner of Section 10, Township 4 South, Range 9 East; then southerly along section lines to the southeast corner of Section 15, Township 4 South, Range 9 East; then easterly along the section lines to the northeast corner of Section 21, Township 4 South, Range 10 East; then southerly along the easterly line of Section 21 to the southeast corner thereof; then easterly along the northerly line of Section 27 to the northeast corner thereof; then southerly along section lines to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 4 South, Range 10 East; then easterly along the township line to the northeast corner of Section 2, Township 5 South, Range 10 East; then southerly along the easterly line of Section 2, to the southeast corner thereof; then easterly along the northerly line of Section 12 to the northeast corner thereof; then southerly along the range line to the southwest corner of Section 18, Township 5 South, Range 11 East; then easterly along section lines to the northeast corner of Section 24, Township 5 South, Range 11 East; and then southerly along the range line to the southeast corner of Section 36, Township 8 South, Range 11 East, a point on the boundary line common to Riverside and San Diego Counties.

(b) RFG covered areas based on being reclassified as Severe ozone nonattainment areas under 42 U.S.C. 7511(b):

Table 2 to Paragraph (b)—Additional RFG Covered Areas Under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(10)(D)

Area designation State or district Counties Independent cities
Washington, DC-Maryland-VirginiaDistrict of ColumbiaWashington
MarylandCalvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's
VirginiaArlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, StaffordAlexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park.
Sacramento MetroCaliforniaSacramento, Yolo, El Dorado (except Lake Tahoe and its drainage area), Placer, 1 Solano, 2 Sutter 3
San Joaquin ValleyCaliforniaFresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Kern 4
Eastern Kern CountyCaliforniaKern County 5
DallasTexasCollin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Wise
Denver-Boulder-Greeley-Ft. Collins-LovelandColoradoAdams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer County, 6 Weld County 7

1 All portions of Placer County except that portion of the County within the drainage area naturally tributary to Lake Tahoe including said Lake, plus that area in the vicinity of the head of the Truckee River described as follows: Commencing at the point common to the aforementioned drainage area crestline and the line common to Townships 15 North and 16 North, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian (M.D.B.&M.), and following that line in a westerly direction to the northwest corner of Section 3, Township 15 North, Range 16 East, M.D.B.&M., thence south along the west line of Sections 3 and 10, Township 15 North, Range 16 East, M.D.B.&M., to the intersection with the said drainage area crestline, thence following the said drainage area boundary in a southeasterly, then northeasterly direction to and along the Lake Tahoe Dam, thence following the said drainage area crestline in a northeasterly, then northwesterly direction to the point of beginning.

2 That portion of Solano County that lies north and east of a line described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the westerly boundary of Solano County and the 1/4 section line running east and west through the center of Section 34; T. 6 N., R. 2 W., M.D.B.&M.; thence east along said 1/4 section line to the east boundary of Section 36, T. 6 N., R. 2 W.; thence south 1/2 mile and east 2.0 miles, more or less, along the west and south boundary of Los Putos Rancho to the northwest corner of Section 4, T. 5 N., R. 1 W.; thence east along a line common to T. 5 N. and T. 6 N. to the northeast corner of Section 3, T. 5 N., R. 1 E.; thence south along section lines to the southeast corner of Section 10, T. 3 N., R. 1 E.; thence east along section lines to the south 1/4 corner of Section 8, T. 3 N., R. 2 E.; thence east to the boundary between Solano and Sacramento Counties.

3 That portion of Sutter County south of a line connecting the northern border of Yolo Co. to the SW tip of Yuba Co. and continuing along the southern Yuba Co. border to Placer Co.

4 Boundary between the Kern County and San Joaquin Valley air districts that generally follows the ridge line of the Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountain Ranges. That portion of Kern County that lies west and north of a line described as follows: Beginning at the Kern-Los Angeles County boundary and running north and east along the northwest boundary of the Rancho La Liebre Land Grant to the point of intersection with the range line common to Range 16 West and Range 17 West, San Bernardino Base and Meridian; north along the range line to the point of intersection with the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant boundary; then southeast, northeast, and northwest along the boundary of the Rancho El Tejon Grant to the northwest corner of Section 3, Township 11 North, Range 17 West; then west 1.2 miles; then north to the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant boundary; then northwest along the Rancho El Tejon line to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 32 South, Range 30 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian; then north to the northwest corner of Section 35, Township 31 South, Range 30 East; then northeast along the boundary of the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant to the southwest corner of Section 18, Township 31 South, Range 31 East; then east to the southeast corner of Section 13, Township 31 South, Range 31 East; then north along the range line common to Range 31 East and Range 32 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 29 South, Range 32 East; then east to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 28 South, Range 32 East; then north along the range line common to Range 31 East and Range 32 East to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 28 South, Range 32 East; then west to the southeast corner of Section 36, Township 27 South, Range 31 East; then north along the range line common to Range 31 East and Range 32 East to the Kern-Tulare County boundary.

5 That portion of the county (with the exception of that portion in Hydrologic Unit Number 18090205 the Indian Wells Valley) east and south of a line described as follows: Beginning at the Kern-Los Angeles County boundary and running north and east along the northwest boundary of the Rancho La Liebre Land Grant to the point of intersection with the range line common to Range 16 West and Range 17 West, San Bernardino Base and Meridian; north along the range line to the point of intersection with the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant boundary; then southeast, northeast, and northwest along the boundary of the Rancho El Tejon Grant to the northwest corner of Section 3, Township 11 North, Range 17 West; then west 1.2 miles; then north to the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant boundary; then northwest along the Rancho El Tejon line to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 32 South, Range 30 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian; then north to the northwest corner of Section 35, Township 31 South, Range 30 East; then northeast along the boundary of the Rancho El Tejon Land Grant to the southwest corner of Section 18, Township 31 South, Range 31 East; then east to the southeast corner of Section 13, Township 31 South, Range 31 East; then north along the range line common to Range 31 East and Range 32 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 29 South, Range 32 East; then east to the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 28 South, Range 32 East; then north along the range line common to Range 31 East and Range 32 East to the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 28 South, Range 32 East, then west to the southeast corner of Section 36, Township 27 South, Range 31 East, then north along the range line common to Range 31 East and Range 32 East to the Kern-Tulare County boundary.

6 That portion of the county that lies south of a line described as follows: Beginning at a point on Larimer County's eastern boundary and Weld County's western boundary intersected by latitude 40 degrees, 42 minutes, and 47.1 seconds north, proceed west to a point defined by the intersection of latitude 40 degrees, 42 minutes, 47.1 seconds north and longitude 105 degrees, 29 minutes, and 40.0 seconds west, proceeding south on longitude 105 degrees, 29 minutes, 40.0 seconds west to the intersection with latitude 40 degrees, 33 minutes and 17.4 seconds north, proceeding west on latitude 40 degrees, 33 minutes, 17.4 seconds north until this line intersects Larimer County's western boundary and Grand County's eastern boundary.

7 That portion of the county that lies south of a line described as follows: Beginning at a point on Weld County's eastern boundary and Logan County's western boundary intersected by latitude 40 degrees, 42 minutes, 47.1 seconds north, proceeding west on latitude 40 degrees, 42 minutes, 47.1 seconds north until this line intersects Weld County's western boundary and Larimer County's eastern boundary.

(c) RFG covered areas based on being classified ozone nonattainment areas at the time that the state requested to opt into RFG under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(A)(i):

Table 3 to Paragraph (c)—RFG Covered Areas Under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(A)(i)

Area designation at the time of opt-in State Counties Independent cities
Sussex CountyDelawareSussex
St. Louis, Missouri-IllinoisIllinoisJersey, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair
MissouriFranklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. LouisSt. Louis.
Kentucky portion of LouisvilleKentuckyJefferson, Bullitt, 1 Oldham 2
Kent and Queen Anne's CountiesMarylandKent, Queen Anne's
StatewideMassachusettsAll
Strafford, Merrimack, Hillsborough, Rockingham CountiesNew HampshireHillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford
Atlantic CityNew JerseyAtlantic, Cape May
New Jersey portion of Allentown- Bethlehem-EastonNew JerseyWarren
Dutchess CountyNew YorkDutchess
Essex CountyNew YorkEssex (the portion of Whiteface Mountain above 4,500 feet in elevation)
StatewideRhode IslandAll
Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Newport News (Hampton Roads)VirginiaJames City, YorkChesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg.
RichmondVirginiaCharles City, Chesterfield, Hanover, HenricoColonial Heights, Hopewell, Richmond.

1 In Bullitt County, KY, beginning at the intersection of Ky 1020 and the Jefferson-Bullitt County Line proceeding to the east along the county line to the intersection of county road 567 and the Jefferson-Bullitt County Line; proceeding south on county road 567 to the junction with Ky 1116 (also known as Zoneton Road); proceeding to the south on KY 1116 to the junction with Hebron Lane; proceeding to the south on Hebron Lane to Cedar Creek; proceeding south on Cedar Creek to the confluence of Floyds Fork turning southeast along a creek that meets Ky 44 at Stallings Cemetery; proceeding west along Ky 44 to the eastern most point in the Shepherdsville city limits; proceeding south along the Shepherdsville city limits to the Salt River and west to a point across the river from Mooney Lane; proceeding south along Mooney Lane to the junction of Ky 480; proceeding west on Ky 480 to the junction with Ky 2237; proceeding south on Ky 2237 to the junction with Ky 61 and proceeding north on Ky 61 to the junction with Ky 1494; proceeding south on Ky 1494 to the junction with the perimeter of the Fort Knox Military Reservation; proceeding north along the military reservation perimeter to Castleman Branch Road; proceeding north on Castleman Branch Road to Ky 44; proceeding a very short distance west on Ky 44 to a junction with Ky 1020 and proceeding north on Ky 1020 to the beginning.

2 In Oldham County, KY, beginning at the intersection of the Oldham-Jefferson County Line with the southbound lane of Interstate 71; proceeding to the northeast along the southbound lane of Interstate 71 to the intersection of Ky 329 and the southbound lane of Interstate 71; proceeding to the northwest on Ky 329 to the intersection of Zaring Road on Ky 329; proceeding to the east-northeast on Zaring Road to the junction of Cedar Point Road and Zaring Road; proceeding to the north-northeast on Cedar Point Road to the junction of Ky 393 and Cedar Point Road; proceeding to the south-southeast on Ky 393 to the junction of county road 746 (the road on the north side of Reformatory Lake and the Reformatory); proceeding to the east-northeast on county road 746 to the junction with Dawkins Lane (also known as Saddlers Mill Road) and county road 746; Proceeding to follow an electric power line east-northeast across from the junction of county road 746 and Dawkins Lane to the east-northeast across Ky 53 on to the La Grange Water Filtration Plant; proceeding on to the east-southeast along the power line then south across Fort Pickens Road to a power substation on Ky 146; proceeding along the power line south across Ky 146 and the Seaboard System Railroad track to adjoin the incorporated city limits of La Grange; then proceeding east then south along the La Grange city limits to a point abutting the north side of Ky 712; proceeding east-southeast on Ky 712 to the junction of Massie School Road and Ky 712; proceeding to the south-southwest and then north-northwest on Massie School Road to the junction of Ky 53 and Massie School Road; proceeding on Ky 53 to the north-northwest to the junction of Moody Lane and Ky 53; proceeding on Moody Lane to the south-southwest until meeting the city limits of La Grange; then briefly proceeding north following the La Grange city limits to the intersection of the northbound lane of Interstate 71 and the La Grange city limits; proceeding southwest on the northbound lane of Interstate 71 until intersecting with the North Fork of Currys Fork; proceeding south-southwest beyond the confluence of Currys Fork to the south-southwest beyond the confluence of Floyds Fork continuing on to the Oldham-Jefferson County Line and proceeding northwest along the Oldham-Jefferson County Line to the beginning.

(d) RFG covered areas located in the ozone transport region established by 42 U.S.C. 7511c(a) that a state has requested to opt into RFG under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(B)(i)(I).

[85 FR 78469, Dec. 4, 2020, as amended at 87 FR 52484, Aug. 26, 2022; 88 FR 70604, Oct. 12, 2023]
§ 1090.290 - Changes to RFG covered areas and procedures for opting out of RFG.

(a) New RFG covered areas. (1) Effective 1 year after an area has been reclassified as a Severe ozone nonattainment area under 42 U.S.C. 7511(b), such Severe area will become a covered area under the RFG program as required by 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(10)(D). The geographic extent of each such covered area must be the nonattainment area boundaries as specified in 40 CFR part 81, subpart C, for the ozone NAAQS that was the subject of the reclassification.

(2) Any classified ozone nonattainment area identified in 40 CFR part 81, subpart C, as Marginal, Moderate, Serious, or Severe may be included as a covered area upon the request of the governor of the state in which the area is located. EPA must do all the following:

(i) Publish the governor's request in the Federal Register upon receipt.

(ii) Establish an effective date that is not later than 1 year after the request is received unless EPA determines that there is insufficient capacity to supply RFG as required by 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(A)(ii).

(3) Any ozone attainment area in the ozone transport region established by 42 U.S.C. 7511c(a) may be included as a covered area upon petition by the governor of the state in which the area is located as required by 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(B)(i). EPA must do all the following:

(i) Publish the governor's request in the Federal Register as soon as practicable after it is received.

(ii) Establish an effective date that is not later than 180 days after the request is received unless EPA determines that there is insufficient capacity to supply RFG as required by 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(B)(iii).

(b) Opting out of RFG. Any area that opted into RFG under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(A) or (B) and has not subsequently been reclassified as a Severe ozone nonattainment area may opt out of RFG using the opt-out procedure in paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) Eligibility for opting out of RFG. The governor of the state in which a covered area under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(10)(D) is located may request that EPA remove the prohibition specified in 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(5) in such area by following the opt-out procedure specified in paragraph (d) of this section upon one of the following:

(1) Redesignation to attainment for such area for the most stringent ozone NAAQS in effect at the time of redesignation.

(2) Designation as an attainment area for the most stringent ozone NAAQS in effect at the time of the designation. The area must also be redesignated to attainment for the prior ozone NAAQS.

(d) Procedure for opting out of RFG. EPA may approve a request from a state asking for either the removal of an RFG opt-in area (or portion of an RFG opt-in area), or the removal of a covered area (or portion of a covered area) under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(10)(D) that meets the criteria in paragraph (c) of this section, from the list of RFG covered areas in § 1090.285 if it meets the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this section. If EPA approves such a request, an effective date will be set as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. EPA will notify the state in writing of EPA's action on the request and the effective date of the removal when the request is approved.

(1) An opt-out request must be signed by the governor of a state, or the governor's authorized representative, and must include all the following:

(i) A geographic description of each RFG area (or portion of each RFG area) that is covered by the request.

(ii) A description of all the means in which emissions reductions from RFG are relied upon in any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved by EPA.

(iii) For an RFG area covered by the request where emissions reductions from RFG are relied upon as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, the request must include all the following information:

(A) Identify whether the state is withdrawing any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved.

(B)(1) Identify whether the state intends to submit a SIP revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, which relies on emissions reductions from RFG, and describe any control measures that the state plans to submit to EPA for approval to replace the emissions reductions from RFG.

(2) A description of the state's plans and schedule for adopting and submitting any revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved.

(C) If the state is not withdrawing any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved and does not intend to submit a revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, describe why no revision is necessary.

(iv) The governor of a state, or the governor's authorized representative, must submit additional information upon request by EPA.

(2)(i) Except as specified in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, EPA will set an effective date of the RFG opt-out as requested by the governor, or the governor's authorized representative, but no less than 90 days from EPA's written notification to the state approving the RFG opt-out request.

(ii) Where emissions reductions from RFG are included in an approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, other than as a contingency measure consisting of a future opt-in to RFG, EPA will set an effective date of the RFG opt-out as requested by the governor, or the governor's authorized representative, but no less than 90 days from the effective date of EPA approval of the SIP revision that removes the emissions reductions from RFG, and, if necessary, provides emissions reductions to make up for those from RFG opt-out.

(iii) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, for an area in the ozone transport region that opted into RFG under 42 U.S.C. 7545(k)(6)(B), EPA will not set the effective date for removal of the area earlier than 4 years after the commencement date of opt-in.

(4) EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the approval of an RFG opt-out request and its effective date.

(5) Upon the effective date for the removal of an RFG area (or portion of an RFG area) included in an approved request, such geographic area will no longer be considered an RFG covered area.

(e) Revising list of RFG covered areas. EPA will periodically publish a final rule revising the list of RFG covered areas in § 1090.285.

§ 1090.295 - Procedures for relaxing the federal 7.8 psi RVP standard.

(a) EPA may approve a request from a state asking for relaxation of the federal 7.8 psi RVP standard for any area (or portion of an area) required to use such gasoline, if it meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. If EPA approves such a request, an effective date will be set as specified in paragraph (c) of this section. EPA will notify the state in writing of EPA's action on the request and the effective date of the relaxation when the request is approved.

(b) The request must be signed by the governor of the state, or the governor's authorized representative, and must include all the following:

(1) A geographic description of each federal 7.8 psi gasoline area (or portion of such area) that is covered by the request.

(2) A description of all the means in which emissions reduction from the federal 7.8 psi gasoline are relied upon in any approved SIP or in any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved by EPA.

(3) For any federal 7.8 psi gasoline area covered by the request where emissions reductions from the federal 7.8 psi gasoline are relied upon as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the request must include the following information:

(i) Identify whether the state is withdrawing any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved.

(ii)(A) Identify whether the state intends to submit a SIP revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, which relies on emissions reductions from federal 7.8 psi gasoline, and describe any control measures that the state plans to submit to EPA for approval to replace the emissions reductions from federal 7.8 psi gasoline.

(B) A description of the state's plans and schedule for adopting and submitting any revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved.

(iii) If the state is not withdrawing any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved and does not intend to submit a revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, describe why no revision is necessary.

(4) The governor of a state, or the governor's authorized representative, must submit additional information upon request by EPA.

(c)(1) Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, EPA will set an effective date of the relaxation of the federal 7.8 psi RVP standard as requested by the governor, or the governor's authorized representative, but no less than 90 days from EPA's written notification to the state approving the relaxation request.

(2) Where emissions reductions from the federal 7.8 psi gasoline are included in an approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, EPA will set an effective date of the relaxation of the federal 7.8 psi RVP standard as requested by the governor, or the governor's authorized representative, but no less than 90 days from the effective date of EPA approval of the SIP revision that removes the emissions reductions from the federal 7.8 psi gasoline, and, if necessary, provides emissions reductions to make up for those from the federal 7.8 psi gasoline relaxation.

(d) EPA will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the approval of any federal 7.8 psi gasoline relaxation request and its effective date.

(e) Upon the effective date for the relaxation of the federal 7.8 psi RVP standard in a subject area (or portion of a subject area) included in an approved request, such geographic area will no longer be considered a federal 7.8 psi gasoline area.

(f) EPA will periodically publish a final rule revising the list of areas subject to the federal 7.8 psi RVP standard in § 1090.215(a)(2).

§ 1090.297 - Procedures for reinstating the 1.0 psi RVP allowance for E10.

(a) EPA may approve a request from a State asking to reinstate the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver specified in § 1090.215(b)(1) for any area (or portion of an area) specified in § 1090.215(b)(3)(ii) if it meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. If EPA approves such a request, an effective date will be set as specified in paragraph (c) of this section. EPA will notify the State in writing of EPA's action on the request and the effective date of the reinstatement upon approval of the request.

(b) The request must be signed by the Governor of the State, or the Governor's authorized representative, and must include all the following:

(1) A geographic description of each area (or portion of such area) that is covered by the request.

(2) A description of all the means in which emissions reduction from the removal of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver are relied upon in any approved SIP or in any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved by EPA, if applicable.

(3) For any area covered by the request where emissions reductions from the removal of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver are relied upon as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the request must include the following information:

(i) Identify whether the State is withdrawing any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved.

(ii)(A) Identify whether the State intends to submit a SIP revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, which relies on emissions reductions from the removal of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver, and describe any control measures that the State plans to submit to EPA for approval to replace the emissions reductions from the removal of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver.

(B) A description of the State's plans and schedule for adopting and submitting any revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved.

(iii) If the State is not withdrawing any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved and does not intend to submit a revision to any approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, describe why no revision is necessary.

(4) A requested effective date of the reinstatement of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver.

(5) The Governor of a State, or the Governor's authorized representative, must submit additional information needed to administer the reinstatement of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver upon request by EPA.

(c)(1) Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, EPA will set an effective date of the reinstatement of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver as requested by the Governor, or the Governor's authorized representative, but no less than 90 days from EPA's written notification to the State approving the reinstatement request.

(2) Where emissions reductions from the removal of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver are included in an approved SIP or any submitted SIP that has not yet been approved, EPA will set an effective date of the reinstatement of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver as requested by the Governor, or the Governor's authorized representative, but no less than 90 days from the effective date of EPA approval of the SIP revision that removes the emissions reductions from the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver, and, if necessary, provides emissions reductions to make up for those from the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver reinstatement.

(d) EPA will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the approval of any ethanol 1.0 psi waiver reinstatement request and its effective date.

(e) Upon the effective date for the reinstatement of the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver in a subject area (or portion of a subject area) included in an approved request, the ethanol 1.0 psi waiver will apply in such subject area.

[89 FR 14774, Feb. 29, 2024]
source: 85 FR 78469, Dec. 4, 2020, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 1090.225