Tier 3 proposal based on flawed analysis

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) has stated an intention to submit comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Proposed Rulemaking on Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards. The AFPM is joined by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in opposing a discretionary rule to reduce the sulfur content in gasoline.

Both the AFPM and API argue that the EPA has failed to provide adequate scientific justification, technical need or cost effectiveness; if finalised, the new rule would decrease the gasoline sulfur average from 30 ppm to 10 ppm, but have negligible environmental benefit with respect to vehicle emissions or improvements in air quality.

AFPM President, Charles T. Drevna, has said that the new rule will actually force refiners to invest in energy intensive sulfur reduction equipment that will increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Refiners have already dramatically reduced sulfur levels in gasoline by 90% since 2004. EPA’s own data suggests that fuel emissions will continue to decrease without Tier 3. Meanwhile, the new rule could lead to domestic fuel supply reductions and higher petroleum product imports while potentially increasing consumer costs and reducing US energy security.

Adapted from press release by

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