Boutique Fuels Task Force
On this page, you will find:
For more information, see the Boutique Fuels page.
On April 25, 2006, President Bush directed EPA Administrator Johnson to bring the governors together to form a task force on boutique fuels. The mission of this task force is to find ways to reduce the number of boutique fuels and to increase cooperation between states on gasoline supply decisions.
On May 4, 2006, EPA Administrator Johnson launched the task force and set an ambitious schedule to provide the President with a final report with options and recommendations within six to eight weeks. In order to meet this timeline, EPA is holding a series of meetings to provide states the opportunity to present their views and recommendations. EPA is inviting views from industry experts, public health organizations, and other interested parties.
The key elements of the report will include:
- a review of the overall process
- a summary of actions to date, including EPA's 2001 boutique fuel report and provisions required by the Energy Policy Act
- a current report of the use and utility of boutique fuels
- stakeholder opinion and feedback
- options for possible changes to our fuel supply system
Boutique fuels are specialized blends produced for a specific state or area of the country to meet state and local air quality requirements. Boutique fuels deliver substantial air quality and public health benefits at minimal costs - ranging from three-tenths of a cent to three cents per gallon. However, these unique fuels may present serious challenges to the fuel distribution system and, especially in times of disruption, may have the potential to result in local supply shortages.
NOTE: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.
Task Force Resources
Boutique Fuels Studies
- Study of Boutique Fuels & Issues Relating to Transition from Winter to Summer Gasoline (PDF) (11 pp, 36K, EPA420-R-01-051, October 2001)
- Study of Unique Gasoline Fuel Blends ("Boutique Fuels"), Effects on Fuel Supply and Distribution and Potential Improvements (PDF) (105 pp, 610K, EPA420-P-01-004, October 2001)
Stakeholder Comments
- May 18, 2006 Stakeholder Conference Call
- American Automobile Association (AAA) (PDF) (2 pp, 24K)
- Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) (PDF) (2 pp, 17K)
- American Lung Association (ALA) (PDF) (2 pp, 17K)
- Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) (PDF) (4 pp, 36K)
- American Petroleum Institute (API) (PDF) (4 pp, 1.3MB)
- American Trucking Associations (ATA) (PDF) (10 pp, 526K)
- Environmental Defense (ED): Response 1 (PDF) (1 pg, 16K)
- Environmental Defense (ED): Response 2 (PDF) (10 pp, 125K)
- Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) (PDF) (4 pp, 221K)
- Health Effects Institute (HEI) (PDF) (2 pp, 35K)
- Independent Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) (PDF) (2 pp, 23K)
- National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS): Response 1 (PDF) (4 pp, 41K)
- National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS): Response 2 (PDF) (61 pp, 3.6MB)
- Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NCSAUM) (PDF) (14 pp, 115K)
- National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) (PDF) (4 pp, 29K)
- National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) (PDF) (5 pp, 48K)
- Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) (PDF) (4 pp, 48K)
- Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) (PDF) (1 pg, 15K)
- Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) (PDF) (4 pp, 207K)
- State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators/Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (STAPPA/ALAPCO): Response 1 (PDF) (5 pp, 51K)
- State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators/Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (STAPPA/ALAPCO): Response 2 (PDF) (9 pp, 24K)