10-R278

2010 -- S 2252 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 05/27/10

S E N A T 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: Senators Sosnowski, and Felag

Date Introduced: February 11, 2010

     WHEREAS, There exists an emerging environmental 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 the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive requirements for Stage II vapor controls when

ORVR has 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, The 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, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby urges the United States EPA to promptly provide Rhode Island and other states with

guidance, along with the associated analytical tools, needed to determine when "widespread use"

of ORVR will occur in the state and when the state's Stage II Gasoline Emission Control Program

may be discontinued; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully urges our Congressional Delegation to

support efforts to provide the 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 duly certified copies of this resolution to Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation.

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LC01551/SUB A

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