EPA Urged to Deny California Waiver from RFG Oxygen Standard

August 24, 2000

Two pro-ethanol organizations have urged the Environmental Protection Agency to deny California's request for a waiver from the federal reformulated gasoline (RFG) oxygen standard in light of the growing technical data demonstrating the air quality benefits of oxygenates such as ethanol. "While I understand California's desire to remove MTBE from its gasoline supply as quickly as possible, the science demonstrates that oxygenates like ethanol do provide real air quality benefits that result in cleaner air for our citizens," said Eric Vaughn, president of the Renewable Fuels Association.

An RFA analysis asserts that removing oxygenates from gasoline will have negative environmental consequences. "That is why EPA should deny this waiver and begin the transition to ethanol in California," said National Corn Growers Association President Lynn Jensen.

The analysis, completed by the Colorado School of Mines, with Predictive Model and Emissions Weight Development provided by ICF Consulting and Environ International Corporation, concludes that switching from RFG2 to RFG3 without oxygen will increase VOC emissions from the on-road and off-road fleet and thus may increase ozone in Southern California.

For more information, including a copy of the letter, access the Internet addresses www.ethanolRFA.org/ or www.ncga.com