Report:
Implementation of the California Reformulated Gasoline Program
Synopsis:
This is a joint presentation by the California Air Resources Board and the Western States Petroleum Association and will provide an overview of the progress made on the implementation of the California Reformulated Gasoline (CaRFG) program. CaRFG is a state-mandated program that requires production and use of a cleaner-burning gasoline. The use of CaRFG will significantly reduce emissions of unhealthful pollutants and help the AQMD meet its air quality objectives.
Committee:
Not Applicable
Recommended Action:
Receive and file this report.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
PL:CC:MN:ph
The South Coast area has the worst air quality in the nation, and California in general has severe air quality problems. Motor vehicles are the largest contributor to the air pollution problem. Almost one-half of the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are due to motor vehicles. VOC and NOx contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, which is the main ingredient in smog.
Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) is a cleaner-burning gasoline that will reduce emissions from all gasoline-burning motor vehicles and engines. RFG is required by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (ARB) regulations to help meet air quality standards. Federal law required the use of federal RFG in the nine worst-polluted areas in the nation, including the South Coast, beginning January 1, 1995. State law requires the production of even cleaner-burning gasoline, California Phase 2 RFG (CaRFG), by March 1, 1996, and by June 1, 1996 all gasoline sold in California must be CaRFG.
Both federal and California RFG reduce levels of ozone, carbon monoxide and airborne toxic chemicals that can cause cancer. CaRFG reduces emissions of smog-forming pollutants such as VOC and NOx by more than twice as much as federal RFG. CaRFG will also reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. The overall emission reductions from motor vehicles associated with CaRFG in California are as follows:
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CALIFORNIA PHASE 2 RFG EMISSION REDUCTIONS
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Compound Reduction
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Volatile Organic Compounds 17% (190 tons/day)
Nitrogen Oxides 11% (110 tons/day)
Sulfur Dioxide 80% (30 tons/day)
Carbon Monoxide 11% (1,300 tons/day)
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Emission reductions from motor vehicles in the South Coast Air
Quality Management District (AQMD) alone due to CaRFG will amount
to about 45% of the total emissions reductions expected for all
of California. This is equivalent to immediately removing 1.6
million vehicles from AQMD roads. In addition, CaRFG will reduce
emissions of cancer causing pollutants. As a result, CaRFG will
also reduce the cancer risk due to gasoline powered motor vehicles
by one-third.
In order to produce RFG, refineries in the AQMD had to spend millions of dollars to make extensive modifications to their equipment and processes. All the new equipment installed was equipped with the Best Available Control Technology, and in some cases, replaced older and less efficient equipment. AQMD staff worked closely with the refineries to ensure that necessary Permits to Construct for the refinery modifications were promptly issued. This required preparation and certification of several Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and processing of approximately 200 permit applications in a relatively short time frame. As a result of a coordinated effort between refinery and AQMD staff, refineries were able to meet the deadlines for production of federal RFG and are well on their way to meeting the deadlines for the production of CaRFG.
At the state level, under the guidance of an advisory committee which includes experts representing automobile manufacturers, gasoline manufacturers and government, ARB conducted extensive testing of CaRFG to ensure a smooth transition to the new fuel. As part of the testing program, over 800 vehicles of varying age and mileage were driven five million miles on cleaner-burning gasoline. The results show that cleaner-burning gasoline works as well as the gasoline that is currently being used. Testing was also conducted on other engines powered with gasoline. The results of this comprehensive testing program did not identify any problems with the use of CaRFG. As with motor vehicles, cleaner-burning gasoline is expected to work just as well as today's gasoline in boats, jet skis, garden equipment, and other gasoline-powered engines.