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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
oxygenated fuel; federal approval; extension
Purpose
An emergency measure that, extends the conditional enactment deadline, from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2027, for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the proposed modifications to the gasoline fuel formulation requirements as part of the state implementation plan for air quality (SIP).
Background
Fuel sold in Arizona must meet minimum standards prescribed by statute and by Arizona Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Division (Division) rule. All gasoline produced and shipped to or within Arizona and all gasoline sold or offered for sale for use in motor vehicles in a county with a population of 1,200,000 or more persons and any portion of a county contained in Area A (Area A) or the portion of Pinal County that is west of range 11 east, excluding the portion within Area A (Area C), must comply with one of two outlined fuel reformulation options, subject to a waiver by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to comply with the federal Clean Air Act. All gasoline in Area A or Area C must also meet the statutory maximum vapor pressure requirements, which vary based on the time of year (A.R.S. §§ 3-3433 and 3-3493).
Gasoline that is supplied or sold for fueling motor vehicles cannot contain a total of more than 0.10 percent oxygen by weight collectively from certain oxygenates listed in statute. Laws 2017, Chapter 295 removed the prohibition on the use of iso-butanol in gasoline used for fueling motor vehicles, conditionally upon approval by the U.S. EPA by July 1, 2024 (A.R.S. § 3-3491).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Extends, from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2027, the conditional enactment deadline for the U.S. EPA to approve the proposed modifications to the gasoline fuel formulation requirements as part of the SIP for Air Quality.
2. Makes conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.
House Action
NREW 1/17/24 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/15/ 24 58-0-1-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
February 27, 2024
RA/slp