Mr. Curtis Spalding, Regional Administrator 

EPA, New England, Region 1 

5 Post Office Square - Suite 1 00 

Boston, MA 02109-3912 

(Sent by US Postal Service and electronic mail) 

Sub: Request to delay implementation of federal reformulated gasoline 

Dear Mr. Spalding: 

In 2013, Maine enacted PI 2013 c. 221 establishing the use of federal 

reformulated gasoline (RFG) in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox and Lincoln counties beginning May 1, 2014. Pursuant to 

section 211 (k)(6)(B) of the Clean Air Act the State of Maine formally requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extend the requirement for the sale of federal RFG to these counties beginning on May l, 2014; EPA's action on this request is still pending. 

Recently the Department learned of supply and logistics complications surrounding a 2014 implementation date and our staffs have discussed these 

new developments and our desire to postpone the implementation until June 1, 2015. Maine has just enacted an emergency law, PI 2013 c. 453, effective March 

6, 2014 which postpones the implementation until June l, 2015. A copy of the 

new law is attached to this letter. I am asking that Maine's request for the implementation date for the sale of federal RFG be modified to coincide with 

June 1, 2015. 

Complimentary to the federal process, we are amending our state rules, Chapter 119 Motor Vehicle Fuel Volatility Limit to implement the above requirements and submit it as a state implementation plan revision. 

AUGUSTA 

17 STATE HOUSE STATION 

AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0017 

(207) 287-7688 FAX: (207) 287-7826 

wob S it<: www.maino.gov/dop 

BANGOR 

106 HOGAN ROAD, SUITE 6 

BANGOR, MAINE 0440 1 

{207} 94 1-4570 FAX: {207) 941-4584 

PORTLAND 

312 CANCO ROAD 

PORTLAND, MAINE 04103 

(207) 822-6300 FAX: (207) 822-6303 

PRESQUE ISLE 

1235 CENTRAL DRIVE, SKYWAY PARK 

PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE 04769 

(207) 764-0477 FAX: (207) 760-3143 
Sincerely, 

Commissioner 

Attachment 

cc: David Conroy, Air Quality Programs Manager (by email only) 

Marc Cone P.E., Director, Bureau of Air Quality (by email only) 
TWO THOUSAND AND FOURTEEN 

S.P. 718 - L.D. 1796 

An Act To Delay Implementation ofReformnlated Gasoline Requirements in 

Maine 

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 

become effective until 90 days after adjourmnent unless enacted as emergencies; and 

Whereas, current law requires the sale of reformulated gasoline in 7 southern 

counties in the State beginning on May I, 2014; and 

Whereas, due to recent developments in the gasoline supply network, gasoline 

distributors in the State are unable to meet this requirement without significant expense, 

which could impact pricing across the State; and 

Whereas, in order to meet federal Clean Air Act requirements, from May 1st to 

September 15th, retailers who sell gasoline in 7 southern counties in the State may sell 

only gasoline that has a Reid vapor pressure no greater than 7.8 psi; and 

Whereas, before the State can require the 7 counties to sell only reformulated 

gasoline during the summer months, the Department of Enviromnental Protection must 

submit a request to the United States Enviromnental Protection Agency; and 

Whereas, sufficient lead time is necessary for submission of the State's request by 

the Department of Environmental Protection and review of the State's request by the 

United States Enviromnental Protection Agency prior to the 2015 summer season; and 

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 

the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 

immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 

therefore, 

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 

Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §585-N, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 221, §2, is amended to read: 

Page 1 -126LR2803(02)-1 
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of a single type of gasoline for all of the State. The Department of Enviromnental 

Protection shall submit a report and implementing legislation directing the State to use a 

single type of gasoline to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 

jurisdiction over environment and natural resources matters by January 30, 2015. The 

joint standing committee may report out a bill on the subject matter of the department's 

report to the First Regular Session of the I 27th Legislature. 

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 

legislation takes effect when approved. 

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