Enforcement Advisory: #149: Reid Vapor Pressure of Gasoline
This page last reviewed March 3, 2009
| Advisory |
Fuel Specifications |
| Number 149 |
February 1997 |
REID VAPOR PRESSURE OF GASOLINE
The purpose of this advisory is to remind all producers, importers, blenders, distributors, haulers and retailers
of gasoline in California of their responsibilities concerning the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) of such fuel. The
RVP regulation is seasonal and geographical, and therefore requires periodic review.
Section 2262.1 (formerly Section 2251.5) of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations states that during the basic regulatory control period, no person shall sell, offer for sale, dispense, supply, offer for supply, or transport California gasoline which has an RVP exceeding 7.00 pounds per square inch. Section 2262.1 further states that during the additional regulatory control period, gasoline production facilities and import facilities are required to meet the 7.00 psi RVP limit one month before terminals and retailers. The additional regulatory control period also applies to parties when they transport gasoline directly from a production or import facility.
Sometimes gasoline will be produced or imported in an air basin that is subject to a regulatory control period, but will be shipped for sale in another air basin where the control periods have not yet begun. Therefore, the regulation exempts gasoline being sold from a production or import facility during an additional regulatory control period where demonstrated precautions have been taken to assure the gasoline will be delivered to service stations in air basins where neither regulatory control period has yet begun. It also exempts sales in an air basin where the basic regulatory control period applies if there have been demonstrated precautions assuring the gasoline will only be delivered to service stations when they are not subject to the basic regulatory control period.
The following table lists the air basins, the basic regulatory control periods, and the additional regulatory control periods for gasoline producers and importers.
|
Air Basins |
Basic Regulatory |
Additional Regulatory |
| South Coast and Ventura County |
April 1 - October 31 |
March 1 - March 31 |
| San Diego |
April 1 - October 31 |
March 1 - March 31 |
| South East Desert |
April 1 - October 31 |
March 1 - March 31 |
| Great Basin Valley |
May 1 - September 30 |
April 1 - April 30 |
| San Francisco Bay Area |
May 1 - October 31 |
April 1 - April 30 |
| San Joaquin Valley |
May 1 - October 31 |
April 1 - April 30 |
| Sacramento Valley |
May 1 - October 31 |
April 1 - April 30 |
| Mountain Counties |
May 1 - October 31 |
April 1 - April 30 |
| Lake Tahoe |
May 1 - October 31 |
April 1 - April 30 |
| North Coast |
June 1 - September 30 |
May 1 - May 31 |
| Lake County |
June 1 - September 30 |
May 1 - May 31 |
| Northeast Plateau |
June 1 - September 30 |
May 1 - May 31 |
| North Central Coast |
June 1 - October 31 |
May 1 - May 31 |
| South Central Coast (Except Ventura County) |
June 1 - October 31 |
May 1 - May 31 |
Be advised that the Air Resources Board Compliance Division routinely samples gasoline and tests for Reid vapor pressure and other required specifications. Additionally, it is imperative that all producers, importers, blenders, distributors, and haulers ascertain the intended location for use of the fuel they market and/or transport, and take steps to ensure that all gasoline is sold or supplied according to the requirements of the regulations.
If you have questions regarding this advisory, please contact Mr. Mark Stover, Manager, Fuels Field Enforcement Section at (916) 322-2056.
James R. Ryden, Chief
Enforcement Division
California Air Resources Board
Post Office Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812
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