Learn the Issues
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What is the definition of oxygenated fuels program control area and oxygenated fuels program control period?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . As per section 80.2 of the regulations, an oxygenated fuels program control area means a geographic area in which only oxygenated gasoline may be sold or dispensed during the control period. An oxygenated fuels program control period means…
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What constitutes "periodic sampling and testing"?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . EPA has not defined the frequency or scope of sampling and testing that is necessary to meet the quality assurance program defense element, because there is no single program that is appropriate in all situations. In addition, EPA…
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Who accounts for imported finished gasoline blended with blendstock?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . If the blendstock added to the imported finished gasoline is oxygenate, then the blending activity is ignored and the finished gasoline is reported by the importer. If some other blendstock is blended to the imported finished gasoline, e.g…
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When certifying a batch of gasoline, which property data should be used (analyzer, lab, calculated, etc.)?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . When certifying a batch of gasoline, a sample that is representative of the entire batch must be taken and tested according to the regulatory test methods specified in § 80.46 of the regulations. For information on independent sampling…
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What requirements will be the subject of EPA inspections downstream from the refinery?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Downstream from the refinery or import facility, EPA will test gasoline for the applicable minimum and maximum parameters. Prior to January 1, 1998, the Simple Model downstream standards apply: oxygen and benzene content, and RVP during the period…
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What is the relationship between a portion of a batch that is shipped during in-line blending and the remainder of that batch?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Both portions of the batch, i.e. the volume shipped and the remaining portion or portions of the total batch volume, are identified with the same fuel properties and the same batch identification number. The properties are determined from…
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What field test methods are acceptable for oversight programs?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . For purposes of meeting the downstream quality assurance defense element, parties may use any test method, so long as that method is performed in accordance with sound engineering and laboratory principles in a manner which provides reasonable correlation…
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Who accounts for blending operations that take place in leased storage facilities?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Under the regulations, a refiner is any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises a refinery. As indicated above, an oxygenate blender is any person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises an oxygenate blending facility, or…
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When are an importer's facilities subject to different RFG standards?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . There is one situation in which importers must demonstrate compliance for individual import facilities instead of aggregating. Under § 80.67(b)(2)(ii), importers must demonstrate compliance separately for the gasoline imported at facilities which are subject to different RFG standards…
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What RFG parameters should parties monitor as part of their downstream quality assurance programs?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Parties should monitor the applicable downstream standards as part of their downstream quality assurance programs under § 80.79(c). These are: under the simple model, oxygen and benzene, and RVP in the case of VOC-controlled RFG; and under the…
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What is the frequency of correlation samples for laboratories to remain qualified for reform testing?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . There is no definition of "qualified" laboratories under the regulations. The principle requirement for correlation relates to the use of one of the alternate methods allowed until 1/1/97. When one elects to use ASTM D1319 for measuring aromatic…
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What information needs to be included on RBOB product transfer documents? Is any information about min/max's required?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . The PTD requirements pertaining to RBOB can be found in § 80.77. They include the type of RBOB and the type and amount of oxygenate to be added as well as the min/max's for benzene and RVP, for…
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What downstream remedies are available if a batch of RFG is found to violate the minimum complex model VOC emissions reduction standard?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . The remedies outlined in the December 5, 1994 RFG/Anti-dumping Questions and Answers document (VII.E.1) apply to complex model RFG that is found to violate the minimum VOC emissions reduction standard. (11/10/97) This question and answer was posted at…
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What are the standards for RFG?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . The standards applicable to RFG under each model may be found in § 80.41 of the regulations.(7/1/94) This question and answer was posted at Consolidated List of Reformulated Gasoline and Anti-Dumping Questions and Answers: July 1, 1994 through…
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What defines a batch for refineries utilizing in-line blending?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Section 80.2 of the regulations defines a "batch" as "a quantity of reformulated gasoline which is homogeneous with regard to those properties which are specified for reformulated gasoline certification." For refiners who are exempt from the independent sampling…
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What are the requirements for retailers in the covered areas?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Retailers are subject to certain controls and prohibitions on reformulated gasoline as provided in § 80.78 of the regulations, such as meeting downstream standards, not selling conventional gasoline in RFG areas, selling VOC-controlled gasoline for the proper VOC…
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To blend gasoline from various components, must we be registered as a refiner?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Yes. Registration is required for any refiner, importer, and oxygenate blender that produces any reformulated gasoline, and any refiner and importer of conventional gasoline. (§§ 80.76(a) and 80.103.) Section 80.65(d)(3) requires each batch of reformulated or conventional gasoline…
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What documentation will be needed downstream to show certification of RFG?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Downstream of the refinery level, RFG may be considered to be "certified" if it is accompanied by product transfer documents, specified in § 80.77, that identify the gasoline as RFG. Of course, if downstream testing shows that gasoline…
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What are the sampling and testing requirements for terminal blenders (barges, trucks and pipelines)?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . If the facility's activities fit the definition of a refiner, it would have to sample and test each batch of gasoline as required under § 80.65(e). If its activities fit the definition of an oxygenate blender, it would…
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Under what environmental conditions must RFG samples be shipped and stored?
See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . The sample container specifications outlined in 40 CFR part 80, Appendix D, limit the materials and closure systems for sample containers, such that RFG properties will be maintained under normal conditions encountered during shipping (by air or ground)…