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Guide to Federal and State Summer RVP Standards for Conventional Gas Only
Volatility is the property of a liquid fuel that defines its evaporation characteristics. RVP is an abbreviation for "Reid vapor pressure," a common measure of and generic term for gasoline volatility. EPA regulates the vapor pressure of gasoline sold at retail stations during the summer ozone season (June 1 to September 15) to reduce evaporative emissions from gasoline that contribute to ground-level ozone and diminish the effects of ozone-related health problems.
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.
Regulations
- Approval of Louisiana's Petition To Relax the Summer Gasoline Volatility Standard for the Grant Parish Area (published February 13, 2008): EPA is taking direct final action to relax the federal volatility (RVP) standard applicable to summer gasoline supplied to the Grand Parish, Louisiana area from 7.8 pounds per square inch (psi) to 9.0 psi.
Contact: Sean Hillson at hillson.sean@epa.gov or 734-214-4789.
- Direct Final Rule | PDF Version (8p, 94K)
- Proposed Rule | PDF Version (5p, 78K)
- Fact Sheet | PDF version (2 pp, 94K, EPA420-F-08-005, February 2008)
- Volatility Regulations for Gasoline and Alcohol Blends: EPA established a two-phase reduction in summertime commercial gasoline volatility. These rules reduce gasoline emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are a major contributor to ground-level ozone (smog). Phase I was applicable to calendar years 1989 through 1991. Depending on the state and month, gasoline RVP was not to exceed 10.5 psi, 9.5 psi, or 9.0 psi. Phase II is applicable to 1992 and later calendar years. Depending on the state and month, gasoline RVP may not exceed 9.0 psi or 7.8 psi. See EPA Guide to Federal and State RVP Standards. EPA provides a 1.0 psi RVP allowance for gasoline containing ethanol at 9 to 10 volume percent.
Contact: Kurt Gustafson at gustafson.kurt@epa.gov or 202-343-9219.
- Final Rule: Volatility Regulations for Gasoline and Alcohol Blends Sold in Calendar Years 1992 and Beyond. 55 FR 23658, June 11, 1990 (electronic version not available).
- Final Rule: Volatility Regulations for Gasoline and Alcohol Blends Sold in Calendar Years 1989 and Beyond. 54 FR 11868, March 22, 1989 (electronic version not available).
- Proposed Relaxation of Summer Gasoline Volatility Standard for Denver/Boulder Area: EPA proposed to change the federal volatility (RVP) standard applicable to summer gasoline supplied to the Denver/Boulder area from 7.8 pounds per square inch (psi) to 9.0 psi. This rule was not finalized due to air quality concerns.
Contact: Kurt Gustafson at gustafson.kurt@epa.gov or 202-343-9219.
- Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule, March 21, 2002
- Direct Final Rule, Jan. 24, 2002
- Notice of Proposed Rule, Jan. 24, 2002
Guidance Documents
- Guide on Federal and State Summer RVP Standards for Conventional Gas Only (PDF) (8 pp, 183K, EPA420-B-08-009, April 2008)
List of locations with summer low-RVP fuel programs. - Guidance on Use of Opt-in to RFG and Low RVP Requirements in Ozone SIPs, April 1, 1999 (PDF) (17 pp, 43K, August 1997)
- Enforcement of Volatility Regulations: Questions and Answers (PDF) (71 pp, 128K, EPA 420-F-93-006, November 1993)
Contact: Kurt Gustafson at gustafson.kurt@epa.gov or 202-343-9219.