Overview
Title
Air Plan Approval; Kansas; Removal of Kansas City, Kansas Reid Vapor Pressure Fuel Requirement
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The EPA wants to change a rule so that gas sold in Kansas City, Kansas can be like the rest of the state, which might make a little more gas smell in the air, but they think it's okay because cars are getting cleaner. They're asking people what they think about this change.
Summary AI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a change to Kansas’ air quality plan that removes a requirement for gas in the Kansas City area to have a specific Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) during summer months. Previously, Kansas City, Kansas had to use gasoline with an RVP of 7.0 psi, while the statewide and federal requirement is 9.0 psi. While the change might slightly increase emissions that contribute to ozone, the EPA believes it will not harm air quality because overall vehicle emissions are decreasing due to newer, cleaner cars. The decision will align Kansas City, Kansas with a consistent RVP requirement and is open for public comments.
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing approval of revision to the Kansas State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment (KDHE) on December 9, 2020. The proposed revision removes the Kansas City, Kansas seven pounds per square inch Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) Fuel requirement which required gasoline sold in the Kansas City, Kansas area to have a seven pounds per square inch Reid Vapor Pressure from June 1 to September 15. The rest of the state is subject to the Clean Air Act (CAA) nine pounds per square inch Reid Vapor Pressure from June 1 to September 15. If approved the Kansas City, Kansas area would be subject to the Clean Air Act Reid Vapor Pressure Fuel requirement. In addition, EPA anticipates issuing a separate proposal for the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro area.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a significant change to Kansas' air quality management by removing a special fuel requirement in the Kansas City, Kansas area. Previously, this area had a unique rule mandating that gasoline sold in the summer months had a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of 7.0 psi. This requirement aimed to reduce emissions that contribute to ozone formation. With the proposed change, gasoline would only need to meet the standard 9.0 psi RVP that applies throughout the rest of Kansas and in line with federal regulations.
General Summary
This proposal, submitted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, reflects the state's desire to streamline its fuel standards with broader federal requirements. It's important to note that the proposed rule is still open for public comment, allowing residents and stakeholders a chance to voice their opinions before a final decision is made.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Understanding this document can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the technical jargon and acronyms used, such as RVP, SIP (State Implementation Plan), and CAA (Clean Air Act). These terms are vital in grasping the full substance of the document, yet are not clearly explained for the general public. Additionally, while the document mentions slight increases in emissions, it lacks detailed explanations of potential health impacts these changes may have, leaving room for public uncertainty about the proposed change's safety.
Broader Public Impact
Should the EPA approve this change, the public might experience a more coherent set of regulations across Kansas, simplifying compliance for gasoline suppliers and retailers. However, concerns may persist about any environmental or health risks posed by the increase in permissible RVP levels, particularly since the document suggests a minor rise in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), both precursors to ozone pollution.
Stakeholder Impact
Gasoline producers and distributors in Kansas City, Kansas could benefit from reduced regulatory burdens, as aligning with federal and state standards may minimize operational complexities and lead to cost savings. On the other hand, environmental groups and public health advocates might raise concerns about the potential for increased ozone-related pollution, especially for individuals with respiratory issues or other health conditions exacerbated by poor air quality.
In conclusion, while the EPA believes that Kansas' cleaner vehicle fleet and other emission-reduction measures will offset any potential rise in air pollutants from this regulatory change, the proposal invites public scrutiny on whether such expectations align with local environmental realities. It remains important for stakeholders to actively participate in the commentary process to ensure that all views are considered in the final decision-making.
Issues
• The document uses a lot of technical terms and acronyms (e.g., RVP, CAA, SIP), which may not be easily understood by those outside of environmental policy or regulation fields, potentially causing confusion.
• There is a lack of detailed explanation on how the change from 7.0 psi to 9.0 psi RVP will impact air quality specifically in terms of health benefits or risks, making it difficult for the public to fully understand the implications.
• The document effectively assumes reader familiarity with environmental regulations and related historical context, such as various ozone standards and NAAQS, which might not be accessible to all readers.
• Although the document provides some data analysis, it could benefit from additional context or simplified language to indicate the overall environmental impact of reverting to the federal RVP standard.
• The process of how public comments are considered and the potential impact of failing to address those comments are not elaborated, possibly leaving the public uncertain about their influence in the decision-making process.