Motor Vehicle Fuel Programs in Texas
- Texas Low Emission Diesel Fuel (TxLED) Program
- El Paso's Fuel Programs
- Converting to Alternative Fuels - The Certification Process
- Portable Fuel Container State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision
- Fuel Additives
- Reformulated Gasoline Program
The Regional Low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) Gasoline Program
Low RVP gasoline is fuel that is refined to have a lower evaporation rate and lower volatility than conventional gasoline. It also reduces the evaporative emissions generated during vehicle refueling and therefore decreases the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other ozone-forming emissions.
Currently, the Regional Low RVP Gasoline program requires that low RVP gasoline be used in 95 central and eastern Texas counties during the summer months when ozone pollution is at its worst. The program, which began May 1, 2000, requires that all gasoline sold from retail gasoline-dispensing facilities within the affected counties have a maximum Reid vapor pressure of 7.8 pounds per square inch (psi) from June 1 through October 1 of each year. Gasoline suppliers are required to supply low RVP gasoline to the affected counties from May 1 through October 1 of each year.
The following 95 counties are included in the Regional Low RVP Gasoline Program: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Bosque, Bowie, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Colorado, Comal, Cooke, Coryell, De Witt, Delta, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Franklin, Freestone, Goliad, Gonzales, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Karnes, Kaufman, Lamar, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Live Oak, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, McLennan, Milam, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rains, Red River, Refugio, Robertson, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Augustine, Shelby, Judge Smith, Somervell, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Washington, Wharton, Williamson, Wilson, Wise, and Wood Counties.
Registration Forms for the Regional Low RVP Gasoline Program
As a part of the Regional Low RVP Gasoline program, entities that supply gasoline to the 95 central and eastern counties affected by these regulations are required to register with the TCEQ.
These state regulations affect gasoline fuel suppliers that produce fuel for and/or import fuel into the areas affected by these regulations. Fuel suppliers that do not produce fuel but only distribute fuel within the affected areas and are not responsible for any fuel composition changes are not required to register. However, all fuel suppliers that import fuel into the affected areas from outside these areas are required to register and are required to comply with all other aspects of these regulations.
TCEQ's Regional Low RVP Gasoline Reporting form
TCEQ's Regional Low RVP Gasoline Registration form
The instructions for completing the forms are included in the downloadable file. All entries should be typewritten. Completed forms should be mailed to the address printed on the form.
For more information about the Regional Low RVP Gasoline call the TCEQ at 512/239-6338.
El Paso's Two Fuel Programs
Two separate fuel programs have been developed in El Paso to help meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for both ozone and carbon monoxide. The El Paso Oxygenated Fuel Program is designed to help reduce carbon monoxide emissions from the cold starts of motor vehicles during the winter months. The El Paso Low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) Gasoline Program is designed to help reduce evaporative emissions that contribute to the formation of ozone during the hot summer months.
The El Paso Oxygenated Fuel Program
Oxygenated fuel is conventional gasoline "splash blended" with an oxygenate such as methanol, ethanol, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE), or tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) to achieve a minimum oxygen content of 2.7 percent oxygen by weight. Currently, both ethanol and MTBE are being used as oxygenates in El Paso.
The El Paso Oxygenated Fuels Program, which began Oct. 1, 1992, requires that all gasoline in the area have a minimum oxygen content of 2.7 percent oxygen by weight from October 1 to March 31 of each year. The wintertime oxygenated fuel used in El Paso may have a maximum Reid vapor pressure (RVP) as high as 13.5 pounds per square inch (psi).
The El Paso Low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) Gasoline Program
Currently, low RVP gasoline is used in El Paso County during the summer months when ozone pollution is at its worst. The El Paso Low RVP Program, which began May 1, 1996, requires that all gasoline in the area have a maximum Reid vapor pressure of 7.0 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) from May 1 through September 16 of each year. Gasoline-dispensing facilities are required to sell low RVP gasoline from June 1 through September 16 of each year.
For more information about El Paso's Oxygenated Fuel Program and Low RVP Gasoline Program, call 512-239-6338.
Converting to Alternative Fuels - The Certification Process
Testing procedures for vehicle aftermarket conversions to use an alternative fuel, along with an outline of the application format, can be found in Title 40 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 79, 86, 600 and 610. These regulations contain both the procedures for the full certification process and the Small Volume Manufacturers Certification Program. These certification procedures use the same test cycles and analytical procedures used for new vehicle certification.
Portable Fuel Container State Implementation (SIP) Revision
On February 26, 2007, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a federal portable fuel container (PFC) rule (72 Federal Register 8432) that set new national standards for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene PFCs. All PFCs manufactured on or after January 1, 2009, must comply with the 2007 federal standards.
History
Previous Texas PFC rules were not consistent with the new federal standards, as they were based on older PFC testing methods. On February 24, 2011, the EPA approved the Texas Rule Repeal State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision. This SIP revision incorporated the proposed rule repeal and demonstrated that reliance on the federal PFC rules will have no negative impact on attainment of the 1997 eight-hour ozone standard in the State of Texas.
Contact Information
Santos Olivarez
Air Quality Division, TCEQ
Phone: (512) 239-4718; E-mail: Santos.Olivarez@tceq.texas.gov
