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EPA Grants Gasoline Waivers for Atlanta Area After Hurricanes Cut Supplies

Release Date: 09/17/2004
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(Washington, D.C. - - Sept. 17, 2004) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, acting on a request from the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection, has determined that storm-related shortages of gasoline in the Atlanta area require a waiver of certain fuel requirements under the Clean Air Act. Refinery and fuel delivery problems caused by Hurricane Ivan on the Gulf Coast curtailed supplies of the low-sulfur gasoline required in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Flooding and power-outages affecting major Georgia supply terminals in the wake of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan have further compromised supplies. The EPA is exercising its enforcement discretion to temporarily allow regulated parties to produce, import, distribute and sell gasoline that does not comply with Georgia's federally approved state implementation plan, which covers a 45-county area. These waivers will be in effect until midnight Sept. 24, 2004. However, retail outlets or wholesale purchase consumers who receive non-compliant gasoline may continue selling it or dispensing it until their supplies are depleted. This determination does not relieve any person from equirements governing conventional gasoline.