Removal of the RFG Program from the Phoenix, Arizona Serious Ozone Non-attainment Area
Rule Summary
In today’s final action, EPA is amending its reformulated gasoline regulations to reflect that the Phoenix, Arizona ozone nonattainment area will not be a covered area in the federal reformulated gasoline (RFG) program as of June 10, 1998.
EPA has approved the petition by the Governor of Arizona dated September 12, 1997, to opt-out of the federal RFG program and removed the requirement to sell federal RFG in the Phoenix ozone nonattainment area as of June 10, 1998. This effective date applies to retailers, wholesale purchaser-consumers, refiners, importers, and distributors. This rulemaking will conform the list of covered areas in the regulations to reflect the effective date of the opt-out for the Phoenix area. As of June 10, 1998, Arizona’s cleaner burning gasoline state regulations will go into effect in the Phoenix area. Arizona developed a clean fuel program to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulates (PM10). Thus, although opting out of the federal RFG program, the Phoenix area will continue to enjoy the air quality benefits of a clean burning gasoline.
Additional Resources
- Final Rule (PDF) (4 pp, 159K, August 11, 1998, About PDF)