Fuels and Fuel Additives
State Fuels (Boutique)
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The federal Clean Air Act establishes national fuel emission standards, but also allows states to adopt unique fuel programs to meet local air quality needs. The combination of federal and state fuel programs is intended to balance the importance of standard fuel quality across the country with the need for sufficient flexibility to address specific air quality issues at the state or local level.
State fuel programs are sometimes referred to as "boutique." Twelve states have adopted their own clean fuel programs for part or all of the state. Most of these programs set lower gasoline volatility requirements than the federal standards, and most are effective for only part of the year. For more information on the twelve programs, please view the list of states with boutique fuel programs.
List of states with boutique fuel programs
Impact of state fuel programs: EPA and the Department of Energy issued a joint report to Congress regarding the impact of state fuel programs on air quality, fuel availability, and fuel costs. 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 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 (PADDs) where the fuels are used. Issuance of this list is required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
- Notice (PDF) (8 pp, 84K, December 28, 2006)
- Fact Sheet: Boutique Fuels List Under Section 1541(b) of the Energy Policy Act (PDF) (2 pp, 80K, EPA420-F-06-065, December 2006)
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Please visit our Related Links page for other fuel related information within EPA, other U.S. Agencies, and other fuel related websites.