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NTC EPA PROPOSES REVISIONS TO IMPORTED GASOLINE REQUIREMENTS

Release Date: 04/30/97
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FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1997

EPA today proposed revisions to the requirements for importing gasoline into the United States. that protects the public health of Americans and, at the same time, addresses concerns over free trade. As proposed, any foreign refiner could choose to petition EPA for an individual baseline reflecting the volume and quality of gasoline shipped to the United States in 1990. The foreign refiner would then be required to meet the same requirements relating to the establishment and use of individual refinery baselines as are met by domestic refiners.
EPA considers the proposed rulemaking would be consistent with the agency's commitment to fully protect public health and the environment, and with the Unites States commitment to ensure that the regulation is consistent with the obligations of the United States under the World Trade Organization.

Additional requirements are also being proposed to address certain issues that are unique to refiners and refineries outside the United States that relate to: tracking the movement of gasoline from the refinery to the U.S. border, monitoring compliance with requirements that apply to parties outside the United States; and enforcement actions to correct violations. EPA also proposed monitoring the quality of imported gasoline. If the average quality of imported gasoline is lower than the average baseline set for domestic refiners, then EPA would adjust the standards for imported gasoline.

Today's proposal will be published in the Federal Register soon. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the rule. If a public hearing is requested, comments would be accepted for 30 days following the hearing. A copy of the rule can be obtained via the Internet at www.epa.gov.

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