On Wed 5/7, the Air Quality Board was briefed on an important issue that has just arrisen relating to ethanol/VOC/ozone.

As a result of the recent federal energy act, there are some federal incentives that petroleum marketers can use to put up to 10% ethanol in gasoline. The ethanol content in gasoline is not regulated by DAQ.

Oregon & Wa have some state level requirements about ethanol, so gas sold in those states has up to 10% ethanol. The refineries are asking to be allowed to sell blended gasoline (E-10) in Utah so they don't have to have 2 product streams. This request is currently being made to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food which regulates gasoline in Utah.

Problem is, adding ethanol increases volatility of gasoline, and increases emissions of VOC's by up to 20% (during fueling, thru hoses, connections). UDAF is proposing to implement a federal rule that allows for a waiver for ethanol fuels to increase the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) by 1 psi.

There is some question about what DAQ can do to keep the refineries from adding ethanol to all their gas, and increase moblie source emissions of VOC's. The AQB could make rules as part of an ozone SIP, but it will be years (2013) before the SIP is due.

There are considerable federal subsidies in place for ethanol fuels. The price at the pump may be lower by a few cents per gallon if the blended fuels are marketed in the state. The increase in VOC may require additional controls that may in the end cost consumers more than the benefits of lower cost fuel.