EPA, States to Review ‘Boutique Fuels’

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nvironmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson has launched a task force to review so-called “boutique fuels” used across the county, the agency said late Thursday.

Boutique fuels are specialized blends produced for a specific state or area to meet state and/or local air quality requirements.

While they deliver air quality benefits costs ranging from 0.3 cent to 3 cents a gallon, “they may present serious challenges to the fuel distribution system and, especially in times of disruption, may have the potential to result in local supply shortages,” EPA said.

“This is the first step in addressing the president’s goal to streamline America's fuel supply and distribution system,” Johnson said in a statement. “I appreciate the governors' positive response, and I look forward to working together on a solution.”

With drivers feeling the burden of high fuel prices, the task force will take input from state governors and attempt to simplify and unify the system of fuel regulations, and increase cooperation among states on gasoline supply decisions.

EPA will hold a series of meetings and develop a report within the next six to eight weeks that provides:

• a review of the overall process, use and utility of boutique fuels;

font size=4>• a summary of actions to date, including EPA’s 2001 boutique fuel report and provisions required by the Energy Act;

font size=4>• a current report of the use and utility of boutique fuels;

font size=4>• stakeholder opinion and feedback; and

font size=4>• and options for possible changes to our fuel supply system.

For information on EPA’s boutique fuels program, visit the agency’s Web site at www.epa.gov/otaq/boutique.htm.

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