Governor Wolf, DEP Announce Waiver in Effect on Gasoline during Hurricane Recovery

Press Release

Governor Tom Wolf announced today the commonwealth will move to ensure adequate gasoline supplies for Pennsylvania drivers in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Pennsylvania has seen a disruption to fuel supplies as ten refineries are shut down as a result of Hurricane Harvey in the Gulf region. This move follows a waiver initiated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ease enforcement of certain gasoline regulations.

"Consumers have seen fuel prices rise as the Gulf region recovers from this horrific act of nature and this will help ease fuel supply issues impacting Pennsylvania," said Governor Wolf. "Pennsylvanians are already doing their part to help those affected by the storm, and this action is to ensure there are not any serious disruptions to the Commonwealth."

The EPA waiver will apply to the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley areas, which require fuel restrictions to comply with federal standards. The waiver applies to reformulated gasoline in the five-county Philadelphia area of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and to the Reid vapor pressure requirements in the Pittsburgh-Beaver area of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

The EPA waiver is in effect until September 15. DEP will not enforce the fuel requirements for the duration of the waiver period. Due to lateness in the ozone season, DEP does not anticipate significant adverse air quality impact in the covered areas.

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