JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 7, 2020 – In its continued response to circumstances created by COVID-19, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources temporarily suspended 10 CSR 10-2.330, Control of Gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). This rule imposes certain volatility limits on gasoline that is sold, dispensed, or transported in Clay, Platte, and Jackson counties from June 1 through September 15 of each year. During the applicable time frame, the RVP limit must be 7.0 psi or less.
The COVID-19 emergency has caused a dramatic and unexpected decrease in the demand for gasoline, which is preventing regulated parties from selling the winter gasoline in their storage tanks and turning their storage tanks over to compliant low-volatility gasoline before June 1, 2020. Without waiving the low-volatility requirements, these regulated parties would be required to hold their winter gasoline supply, which would prevent them from using their storage tanks for low-volatility gasoline, creating a shortage of compliant low-volatility gasoline. These supply shortages are alleviated by temporarily suspending the RVP requirement. This suspension is not anticipated to interfere with attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone.
The suspension is in effect from May 6 until June 15, 2020. It should be noted that the suspension is set to expire alongside the current Executive Order, EO 20-09, on June 15. The department will evaluate and communicate with all interested parties on any extension as we near that date.
EPA also issued a federal waiver titled Nationwide Fuel Waiver Concerning Summertime Volatility Requirements for Gasoline. Missouri’s Department of Agriculture also has issued a Summer Gasoline Volatility Waiver, which can be found online at agriculture.mo.gov.
For more information you may contact the Air Pollution Control Program at 573-751-4817 or 800-361-4827, or through the contact form on the program’s website.