May 20, 1998


Dear Sir/Madam:

This letter is to inform you of a public workshop to be held to discuss possible changes to the Air Resources Board's "California Reformulated Gasoline Regulations" (also known as the "cleaner-burning gasoline" regulations).

In our letter of February 4, 1998, we indicated that we are evaluating potential means to add flexibility in processing gasoline for California. It is envisioned that refiners could use the regulatory flexibility to more easily produce cleaner-burning gasoline. This could allow reduced production costs and more ability to replace oxygenates with other gasoline components while providing equal or greater emission reductions. We have previously held one public workshop and four public consultation meetings to discuss this topic. The workshop will be held at:

Place

Date and Time

Employment Development Department
Auditorium
722 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, California 95814

June 5, 1998
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

An agenda is enclosed.

1.   Moderate changes to some cap limits ,including raising the maximum oxygen content limit to 3.5 weight percent;  
2.   Minor changes to the predictive model to accommodate the cap increases;  
3.   Adding an evaporative model for emissions of hydrocarbons and benzene;  
4.   Adjusting the terms in the predictive model to more accurately express the response of vehicles to the sulfur content of gasoline;  
5.   Reducing the cap limit for sulfur;  
6.   Rescinding the winter minimum oxygen requirement where that is appropriate; and,  
7.   Modifying some of the regulatory language to improve enforceability in connection with changes to cap limits.  

We are asking for comments and suggestions for all interested parties. At the workshop, we will discuss potential changes to the cleaner-burning gasoline regulations including but not limited to the following:

The meeting facility is accessible to persons with disabilities. If accommodation is needed, please contact Ms. Jacqueline Wilson at (916) 327-1493 or TDD (916) 342-9531 or (800) 700-8326 for TDD calls outside the Sacramento area, by May 29, 1998.

Questions about the workshop may be directed to Mr. Richard Vincent, Staff Air Pollution Specialist, at (916) 327-5977.

Enclosure



State of California

Air Resources Board

Public Workshop on Proposed Amendments
to the "Cleaner-Burning Gasoline" Regulations

June 5, 1998

Agenda

Introduction

Background

Proposals for Hearing in August

    Revised cap limits; associated model adjustments

    Evaporative models

    Sulfur response in exhaust models

    Lower cap for sulfur

    Winter oxygen requirement

    Enforceability provisions

Future work on exhaust modeling

Closure (by 3:00 p.m.)

9:30 a.m.
   

(Open discussion will be invited throughout the meeting.)