Streamlined Procedures for Relaxing the Federal 7.8 psi RVP Standard
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Rule Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the “Fuels Regulatory Streamlining” rule on December 4, 2020 (See 85 FR 78412.) that among other things provides streamlined criteria and procedures for states that with areas subject to the federal 7.8 psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard to request a relaxation of that standard.
This final rule provides the states with the flexibility of choosing other control measures to reduce ozone levels while maintaining the air quality standards required under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
This final rule applies to areas that remain subject to the federal 7.8 psi RVP standard that applies during the summer months (June 1st through September 15th). This rule describes the process a state must follow to request that EPA relax the federal RVP standard from 7.8 psi to 9.0 psi, the criteria used by EPA to evaluate a request, and the transition period before the relaxation becomes effective.
The process for relaxing the federal RVP standard is discussed in Section V.A.4.g. “Providing Streamlined Procedures for Areas Relaxing the Federal 7.8 psi RVP Standard” of the preamble to the “Fuels Regulatory Streamlining” rule. (See 85 FR 78425-6.) The relevant regulatory text can be found in 40 CFR 1090.295. The Additional Resources section of this page provides a link to the “Fuels Regulatory Streamlining” rule web page.