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Boutique Fuels: State and Local Clean Fuels Programs
Quick Links
• Boutique Fuels in SIPs Final Standards, December 2006
• Related information about various program and fuel types
• Boutique fuels task force - on April 25, 2006, President Bush directed EPA Administrator Johnson to form a task force to find ways to reduce the number of boutique fuels, and to increase cooperation between states on gasoline supply decisions. More information about the Boutique Fuels Task Force.
Controlling fuel composition to achieve emission reductions is often one of the most cost effective control measures. The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires certain national standards be met for gasoline quality for the purpose of protecting public health. However, in areas that have special air quality needs, the CAA allows states to adopt unique clean fuel requirements, and to sell gasoline that is specially formulated to meet the air quality needs.
Locally, many individual oil refiners work with local and state air quality officials to create cost-effective fuels programs that meet local air quality needs. Such locally-specific fuel types are referred to as "boutique fuels."
Twelve states have adopted their own clean fuel programs for part or all of the state. Most of these states require gasoline with lower volatility than federal standards, and most are effective for only part of the year. These state fuel programs make up eight different kinds of fuels. The federal programs (Reformulated Gasoline and low Reid Vapor Pressure) make up four different kinds of fuel. The combination of federal fuel programs and states' abilities to adopt state fuel controls is intended to reflect a balance that allows areas sufficient flexibility to accomplish air quality needs. Issues related to state and local clean fuels programs were contained in the President's 2001 National Energy Policy.
Contact: Kurt Gustafson, phone: (202) 343-9219, email: gustafson.kurt@epa.gov
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Energy Policy Act (EPAct) Section 1541(c) - Boutique Fuels Report to Congress
EPA and the Department of Energy have issued this joint Report to Congress regarding the impact of state fuel programs [approved under the Clean Air Act Section 211(c)(4)(c)] on air quality, the number of fuel blends, fuel availability, and on fuel costs.
Contact: Paul Argyropoulos, phone: (202) 564-1123, email: argyropoulos.paul@epa.gov
- Report to Congress (PDF, 34 pp, 1M, EPA420-R-06-901, December 2006)
EPAct Section 1541(b) - Boutique Fuels in State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
EPA has issued a Federal Register notice listing fuels approved in State Implementation Plans (SIPs) as of September 1, 2004. The list includes the states and Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD) where the fuels are used. Issuance of this list is required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Contact: Anne-Marie Pastorkovich, phone: (202) 343-9623, email: pastorkovich.anne-marie@epa.gov
- Notice (Also available as a PDF, 8 pp, 150K, December 28, 2006)
- Fact Sheet: "Boutique Fuels List Under Section 1541(b) of the Energy Policy Act" (Also available as PDF) (2 pp, 80K, EPA420-F-06-065, December 2006)
- List of Boutique Fuels for State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
- Draft Notice: Draft Boutique Fuels List Under Section 1541(b) of the Energy Policy Act and Request for Public Comment. (Also available as PDF) (5 pp, 132K, published June 6, 2006)
- "Regulatory Announcement: Proposed Boutique Fuels List Under Section 1541(b) of the Energy Policy Act and Request for Public Comment" (Also available as a PDF) (3 pp, 241K, EPA420-F-06-036, May 2006)
Related information about various program and fuel types.
Low-Volatility Programs
Volatility is the property of a liquid fuel that defines its evaporation characteristics. Lowering the volatility of gasoline reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are a major contributor to ground- level ozone (smog). Currently, there are 11 states that have federally approved RVP programs.
- EPA Guide to Federal and State RVP Standards for Conventional Gasoline (PDF, 7 pp, 26K, EPA420-B-03-002, March 2003) Contact: Kurt Gustafson, phone: (202) 343-9219, email: gustafson.kurt@epa.gov
Winter Oxygenated Programs
Oxygenates are fuel additives (alcohols and ethers) that contain oxygen, which can boost gasoline's octane quality, enhance combustion, and reduce exhaust emissions. Winter oxygenated programs reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) from motor vehicles. Currently, there are 9 states that have federally approved winter oxygenated programs.
- Table of Winter Oxygenated Fuels Programs by State (PDF, 4 pages, 132K, October, 2001) Contact: Kurt Gustafson, phone: (202) 343-9219, email: gustafson.kurt@epa.gov
Sulfur Programs
Low-sulfur programs allow states to achieve additional NOx reductions, but for gasoline only until 2005 when the federal sulfur standard for gasoline is fully implemented.
RFG-Similar Programs
RFG-similar programs achieve clean fuel benefits for states not allowed to join the RFG program, or that could join the RFG program but desire somewhat different fuel property requirements.
State and Local Clean Fuels Program Report and Related Documents.
Issued October 24, 2001. The report identified several regulatory changes that can be made in the near term that could help to moderate gasoline price spikes during future transition periods when fuel producers switch from winter to summer grade cleaner-burning gasoline. The report also sought public comment on longer term changes to EPA's fuels programs. These changes may require amendments to the Clean Air Act or wide-scale changes to current fuel regulations.
- EPA Actions
- Press Release (PDF, 3 pp, 13K, October 24, 1999)
- Letter to the President (PDF, 3 pp, 9K)
- 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)
- Memo to the Docket: Gasoline Production Capacity Impacts of Fuel Control Options (PDF, 22 pp, 45K, October 22, 2001)
- Memo to the Docket: Cost Estimates of Long-Term Options for Addressing Boutique Fuels (PDF, 52 pp, 149K, October 22, 2001)
- Memo to the Docket: Emission Inventory Impact Analysis of the Long-term Fuel Control Options to Address Boutique Fuels (PDF, 17 pp, 45K, October 22, 2001)