LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Governor Bevin announced his endorsement for ending the mandated use of reformulated gasoline (RFG) in Louisville and surrounding counties.
Bevin noted that improvements in automobile technology and cleaner gasoline from refineries have resulted in the Commonwealth’s citizens paying far too much for too little benefit. Bevin is urging Mayor Greg Fischer to expedite his endorsement and necessary actions by Metro Air Pollution Control District.
“Today, I call on Mayor Fischer to direct the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District to move forward on finding the most cost-effective offsets that will help eliminate RFG and save the citizens of Louisville more than $73 million a year,” said Gov. Bevin.
In a resolution, Bevin and Louisville area Republican lawmakers, are calling on the state's Energy and Environment Cabinet to work with the Metro Air Pollution Control District. The goal would be to come up with a plan to meet federal ozone standards, so the state can petition the EPA to drop the reformulated gas requirement in Louisville.
Louisville’s gas is usually 25 cents more expensive than it is in Simpsonville and Shelbyville.
Since the 1990s, areas including portions of Oldham and Bullitt and all of Jefferson County, have been required to use the special mix of reformulated gas to help air pollution.
“The RFG requirement is an outdated, burdensome regulation that needs to end,” said Rep. Huff, who represents the 49th Legislative District in Bullitt County. “Our effort is aimed at reducing the price at the pump for hardworking taxpayers while ensuring that our environment continues to improve."
Reformulated gas is a cleaner, burning gasoline but since the 1990s, car engines are also much different.
“During this day and age, it is simply unnecessary for my constituents to have to pay more for gas than folks in other surrounding counties,” said Rep. Kevin Bratcher, who represents the 29th Legislative District in Jefferson County. “It’s long past time that we work together to seek a remedy."
Gov. Bevin successfully petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lift the requirement on Northern Kentucky to use RFG. His actions eliminated costly RFG in Northern Kentucky on July 1, 2018.
"We don't want to have unhealthy air. These things came into existence for a good reason but they also have the ability to be removed without eliminating the initial intent," Bevin said. "We are this close to making it happen. We just need to work with the city to come up with ways to make sure we have a rock solid application so we can be confident that we can take this off our backs."
As Louisville approaches the attainment of the required ozone standard, Gov. Bevin is committed to ending the RFG requirement.
"When RFG was put in, it was something that I supported. I support today, I think it was a good decision. But in 2011 Congress acted to make our regular gas much cleaner. So what was before a 17% reduction or benefit is now about a 2% benefit," Rep. Jason Nemes, (R-33,) said. "It recognizes that the benefit is not what it used to be and it doesn't outweigh the costs that currently exist."
The Energy and Environment Cabinet has been directed to move forward with the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District to find the most cost-effective pollution offsets. It is possible to begin the process of eliminating RFG without legislation; however, to ensure RFG is eliminated, Gov. Bevin announced he will sign the legislation as soon as it is delivered to him if action is not taken more quickly.
The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District issued a response Wednesday from director Keith Talley Sr. It said, “The Air Pollution Control District is currently conducting a study on local emissions of VOCs and NOx to get a better understanding of ozone formation. And the District will soon form a stakeholder group made up of members of the community to help build consensus around our efforts – especially voluntary ones – to meet the new ozone standard. RFG is one of many tools that will be on the table when that stakeholder group begins its work.”
Drivers in Jefferson Co. Wednesday afternoon were excited to hear gas could be cheaper in the coming years.
"I welcome it with open arms and god bless whoever decided to finally give us a break," Robbin Hines said. "Cheaper gas is a gift from God and we all need gifts from God."
Hines said he thinks the change should happen as soon as possible. Another driver living in Floyds Knob, Ind. often fills up gas around the Louisville area for work.
"There is a giant difference if you go 40 to 50 miles outside of Louisville. I just got gas in Litchfield yesterday and it was 30 cents cheaper than it is here today," Mark Best said. "I have to get it one way or another so it'd just be a nice break to have it a little bit cheaper."
Best said he understands reformulated gas is "probably better for the environment," but he said consumers could use the money saved and put it back into the economy.
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