In order to avoid a repeat of Georgia’s long gas lines and empty pumps of 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency temporarily waived environmental requirements for gasoline sold in Georgia to avoid a potential shortage after Hurricane Isaac caused supply disruptions.
The move followed a request by Gov. Nathan Deal, who Wednesday reported the waiver will last through Sept. 15. It will give Gulf Coast fuel refineries some time to resume normal production after power outages and flooding related to Hurricane Isaac.
The federal government mandates Georgia counties use cleaner burning, low-volatility fuel in summer and an even more stringent standard in a 45-county region centered around Atlanta. Members of the Georgia Petroleum Council recently predicted shortages of the low volatility gas would occur within a week without an EPA waiver.
Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle
