[Airresources] Extension to RVP Fuel Waiver - through June 30, 2020

[St.Amand, Paige (DEM)]

The purpose of this email is to provide gasoline suppliers, distributors and retailers with important information regarding the waiving of RVP requirements in accordance to RIGL 31-37-7.1 and 250-120-05-11 (Petroleum Liquid Marketing and Storage - Part 11).  The Department received requests to issue waivers for the transition of higher volatility fuel to lower volatility fuel due to the changing seasons and associated regulatory requirements.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) has evaluated the impact that responses and actions related to the COVID-19 public health threat and the declarations by state and national leaders have had on fuel supplies in Rhode Island.  Based upon this evaluation, RIDEM has determined that as a result of the risk mitigation measures needed to address the public health threat and the emergency declarations related to COVID-19, the public's driving habits have significantly decreased to the point where gasoline consumption has drastically dropped.  RIDEM is aware that distributors are experiencing an over-supply of winter gasoline relative to this time of year, making it difficult or impossible to shift supplies to a lower volatility fuel.

In response to the requests, RIDEM issued a RVP fuel waiver on March 26, 2020 to provide relief to the April 1st deadline.  RIDEM also issued a waiver on April 7, 2020 from the May 1st RVP fuel requirements. This waiver concurred with the federal waiver that was issued on March 27th and provided relief from RIGL 31-37-7.1 and 250-120-05-11.  The waiver was good through May 20, 2020.  We are now issuing an extension to the fuel waiver through June 30, 2020.  The waiver may be extended, if conditions persist and warrant an extension.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Laurie


Laurie Grandchamp, P.E.
Administrator, Environmental Protection

[cid:image003.jpg at 01D622ED.10808520]R.I. Department of Environmental Management
            Office of Air Resources
235 Promenade Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
tel. 401-222-4700, ext. 7143
fax 401-222-2017
laurie.grandchamp at dem.ri.gov<mailto:laurie.grandchamp at dem.ri.gov>

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