An Act To Delay Implementation of Reformulated Gasoline Requirements in Maine

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  current law requires the sale of reformulated gasoline in 7 southern counties in the State beginning on May 1, 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 Environmental Protection must submit a request to the United States Environmental 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 Environmental 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,

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

§ 585-N. Reformulated gasoline

Beginning May 1, 2014 June 1, 2015, a retailer who sells gasoline in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox or Lincoln County may sell only reformulated gasoline in those counties.

Sec. 2. Report. The Department of Environmental Protection shall study the feasibility of easing the multiple gasoline requirements in this State and achieving the use of a single type of gasoline for all of the State. The Department of Environmental 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 127th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources pursuant to Public Law 2013, chapter 221, section 3. This bill extends by one year and one month the implementation date for reformulated gasoline to be the only gasoline sold in 7 southern counties in the State. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to study the feasibility of easing the multiple gasoline requirements in this State and achieving the use of a single type of gasoline for all of the State and to 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 is authorized to report out a bill on the subject matter of the department's report to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.