10-R178

2010 -- H 7717 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 04/08/10

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CALLING ON THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, M Rice, Slater, and Handy

Date Introduced: February 25, 2010

     WHEREAS, There exists an emerging issue relating to the incompatibility of Stage II

gasoline emission control systems (required by the Federal Clean Air Act in gasoline dispensing

stations in the state) and the Congressionally mandated On-Board Refueling Vapor Recovery

(ORVR) systems which have been phased into new automobiles over model years 1998 through

2000 and into light duty trucks over model years 2001 through 2006; and

     WHEREAS, The emissions reductions benefits of the Stage II program are decreasing as

the number of ORVR-equipped vehicles increases because Stage II systems do not further reduce

refueling emissions in vehicles equipped with ORVR and, when Stage II systems are

incompatible with ORVR, an increase in emissions occurs when ORVR vehicles are refueled; and

     WHEREAS, The Federal Clean Air Act, in recognition of these issues, allows EPA to

waive requirements for Stage II vapor controls when ORVR had achieved sufficient “widespread

use” in the motor vehicle fleet in a state; and

     WHEREAS, The EPA must approve any petition by the state to waive Stage II vapor

control requirements in Rhode Island after a certain date because ORVR will be in “widespread

use” in the Rhode Island motor vehicle fleet by that date; and

     WHEREAS, EPA has not provided Rhode Island and other states with guidance for how

analyses to demonstrate “widespread use” should be conducted so as to be approvable by the

EPA; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, The Rhode Island House of Representatives urges the United States EPA to

promptly provide Rhode Island and other states with guidance, along with associated analytical

tools, needed to determine when “widespread use” of ORVR will occur in the state and the state’s

Stage II Gasoline Emission Control Program may be discontinued; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That our Congressional delegation is hereby urged to support efforts to

provide EPA with the resources necessary for the development of this “widespread use” guidance

and associated analytical tools; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

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LC01404/SUB A

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