Fuels Averaging, Banking, and Trading (ABT) Credit Data
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Overview of Fuels ABT Program
EPA created two separate ABT programs specific to sulfur and benzene under the federal gasoline regulations. Gasoline refiners and importers may generate compliance credits for use or trading based on requirements and standards described in 40 CFR part 80. This allows refiners to meet requirements by producing gasoline that meets the specifications or by trading credits for use with other refiners, so that collectively the sulfur and benzene standards are satisfied.
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Gasoline Sulfur Credits
Beginning with the 2017 compliance year (January 1 through December 31), refiners and importers may generate gasoline sulfur credits for annual average gasoline sulfur levels less than 10 ppm.
From January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019, small refiners and small volume refineries (as defined in 40 CFR Part 80 subpart O 80.1620 and 80.1621, respectively) may generate credits (known as “Tier 2” or transitional sulfur credits) if their annual average gasoline sulfur level is less than 30 ppm, but these credits may only be used by other small refineries/refiners for compliance with 40 CFR Part 80 subpart H. During this time period, these refineries/refiners may also generate “standard” Tier 3 credits from if their annual average gasoline sulfur level is less than 10 ppm, and these credits may be used by all refiners and importers.
The calculation below describes how sulfur credits are generated. Sulfur credit units are in ppm-gallons.
A refinery or importer may then trade the credit to other refineries who intend to use the credit. If the transferee cannot use the credit, it may make a second transfer of the credit to a refiner or importer who intends to use the credit. Credits may only be transferred between refiners twice before being used or terminated. Sulfur credits are generated and traded in EPA's Moderated Transaction System (EMTS).
The table 1 and 2 below show the total number of banked sulfur and Transitional Sulfur credits existing in the marketplace. The averaging year corresponds to the compliance year the credits were generated in with the total credits broken out by the number of times traded. Credits used or terminated are not included in the banked total.
Gasoline Benzene Credits
Gasoline refineries and importers may generate benzene credits when their actual annual benzene concentration is less than 0.62 volume percent of benzene. The calculation below describes how benzene credits are generated. Benzene credit units are in gallons benzene.
A refinery or importer may then trade the credit to other refineries who intend to use the credit. If the transferee cannot use the credit, it may make a second transfer of the credit to a refiner or importer who intends to use the credit. Credits may only be transferred between refiners twice before being used or terminated. Benzene credits are generated and traded in EPA's Moderated Transaction System (EMTS).
The table below shows the total number of banked benzene credits existing in the marketplace. The averaging year corresponds to the compliance year the credits were generated in with the total credits broken out by the number of times traded. Credits used or terminated are not included in the banked total.