U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), along with ten other Republican senators, has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse gasoline vapor testing regulations introduced during the Biden administration and return to previous standards.
In a letter addressed to the EPA, the senators expressed concerns about premature enforcement of revised vapor tightness standards by some operators at liquid fuel terminals before the 2027 compliance deadline. They stated, “These challenges are already materializing as some operators at liquid fuel terminals are prematurely enforcing the revised vapor tightness standards ahead of the 2027 compliance date, creating confusion and imposing unexpected costs on small business fuel marketers.” The letter further warned that if corrective action is not taken, there could be disruptions in fuel supply if vehicles cannot access terminals due to non-compliance with these requirements.
The senators also argued against what they described as excessive regulatory influence from California. “Small businesses in our states should not be subject to California’s regulatory overreach,” they wrote. The group requested that the EPA collaborate with industry stakeholders to revisit and restore prior standards for sources regulated under Subpart XXa and Subpart BBBBBB, and revert pressure drop ranges under Subpart R back to earlier levels. According to them, this would help maintain a steady fuel supply for first responders, motorists, farmers, ranchers, and other key sectors.
The letter was led by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and signed by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
Fuel marketers—responsible for transporting gasoline from supply terminals to local stations—would see relief if the EPA acts on these recommendations. The senators claim that changes made under the Biden administration have increased confusion and costs for small business fuel marketers without providing significant benefits.
The full text of the letter is available online.
