EPA Approves Fuel Waiver for 16 Louisiana Parishes

The Environmental Protection Agency said it waived some clean fuel requirements for 16 parishes in the Louisiana until next Monday, Sept. 8, due to Hurricane Gustav, which hit the state Monday.

This waiver will allow greater flexibility for the fuel distribution system to be used to aid in the evacuation and subsequent return of affected residents. It was granted by EPA in coordination with the Department of Energy, at the request of the Louisiana.

EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson determined that extreme and unusual supply circumstances were likely to result in a shortage of gasoline compliant with federal regulations, and said the waiver would help ensure an adequate supply of gasoline in the affected area during and in the immediate aftermath of the storm.