EPA issues fuel waiver for states affected by ExxonMobil emergency shutdown

On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued emergency fuel waivers to four states impacted by the ExxonMobil Refinery’s emergency shutdown.

As part of the federal government’s response to tornadoes, the EPA issued an emergency fuel waver to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin to help alleviate fuel shortages. The EPA waived federal regulations and federally enforceable State Implementation Plan requirements for the low Reid vapor pressure and reformulated gasoline requirements in those state due affected by the refinery shutdown. The waiver will be in effect until August 20, officials said.

On July 15, ExxonMobil shuttered its 251,800-barrel a day refinery in Channahon, Ill., near Joliet, due to a power outage caused by storms. The loss of power caused a flaring incident on Monday night, filings from the company showed. The refinery mainly processes Canadian crude oil and produces about 9 million gallons of gasoline and diesel each day, the company’s website said.

The company said it could take up to three weeks for the refinery to resume normal operations. The company said it has limited its unbranded fuel supply in the region and placed customers on allocation.

The Clean Air Act allows EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan to waive certain fuel requirements, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Officials said Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and therefore granted temporary waivers to ensure an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply can be restored.

The EPA and DOE said they are continuing to monitor the fuel supply situation and will consider next steps when applicable.

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