Purpose:

The purpose of this order is to provide a waiver to the ASTM Reid Vapor Pressure specifications for ethanol blended gasoline due to an emergency situation as a result of the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.

Background:

On May 11, 2021, Governor Ralph S. Northam declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide response to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.  In Executive Order 78, Governor Northam, pursuant to his authority under § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia, authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Service, on behalf of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ regulatory boards as appropriate and with concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, to waive any state requirement or regulation.  Executive Order 78 provides that the temporary waiver shall remain in effect until June 10, 2021.

Definitions:

"Volatility class A" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "A" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814.

"Volatility class C" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "C" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814.

"Volatility class D" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "D" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814.

"Volatility class E" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "E" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814.

Required vapor pressure limits for May 11, 2021, through June 10, 2021:

Pursuant to the authority granted in Executive Order 78, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services waives the vapor pressure limit for gasoline ethanol blends prescribed by reference to ASTM D4814 in regulation 2 VAC 5-425 et seq., Vapor Pressure Requirements for Gasoline Ethanol Blends, for the period of May 11, 2021, through June 10, 2021.

For the period of May 11 through June 10, 2021, when gasoline is blended with ethanol, the blend’s maximum vapor pressure shall not exceed the ASTM D4814 limits for volatility class C or D by more than 1.0 psi during this period and no more than 0.5 psi for volatility class E during this period.

Any gasoline meeting the conditions of this waiver that is stored in terminal storage tanks for distribution to retail outlets and wholesale purchaser-consumers beginning May 11, 2021, may be distributed and sold until the supply is depleted. Likewise, retailers and wholesale purchaser-consumers may continue selling or dispensing gasoline that meets the conditions of this waiver after May 31, 2021, until their supplies are depleted.

By Order of:

Jewel H. Bronaugh, Ph.D.

Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

With Concurrence from:

Bettina Ring

Secretary, Agriculture and Forestry

A PDF of this Emergency Waiver is available using the link provided below. 

http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/Emergency-Waiver-Reid-Vapor-Pressure-Requirements.pdf?gnid=1240