Since early March, more than 700 vehicles from
industry and government fleets throughout the
state have operated exclusively on California
reformulated gasoline (California RFG).  This is
part of the Air Resources Board's California
RFG Performance and Compatibility Test Pro-
gram -- a six-month study to evaluate the fuel's
performance in a wide range of cars, trucks, and
other equipment.  With the program half over,
more than 370,000 gallons of test fuel have been
used.  So far, no problems have been attributed to the cleaner-burning gasoline.
     Researchers are watching closely for any in-
crease in failures of fuel system components such

(PICTURE MISSING)

Over 90 Sacramento City Police vehicles are using
California reformulated gasoline as part of the six-
month, statewide test program.

     RFG New Briefs---------------------------2

     Viewpoint:  NRDC Supports RFG--------3

     Fleets Running on Calif. RFG--------------3

as fuel pumps, hoses, and carburetor parts.
They are using past maintenance records to help determine whether any problems are caused by California RFG or by normal wear and tear.  In addition, a Technical Review Panel, consisting of engineers and technicians from industry and government, will evaluate information from problem vehicles or equipment.

Interview with ARB Public Education Consultant --- David Novak
RFG Forum interviewed David Novak, principal of Novak Communications, a Los Angeles-based strategic communications firm.  In March, the Air Resources Board retained Novak to design a public education campaign on California reformulated gasoline.

Forum:  How important is public education on RFG?
Novak:  Everything we've learned from public opinion polls points to the need for public educ-
ation.  People must understand the value of RFG.  Adults make decisions based on what they hear on TV and radio, from their mechanics and their friends...and from what they read in the newspaper.  We need to make sure that they get accurate information about RFG so they can make informed decisions.  We've got to make sure the media understands this program.
Forum:  What do you see as the biggest public education challenge with California RFG?
Novak:  Getting the message out to the 20 million Californians who buy gasoline.  People don't think

INTERVIEW CONT. FROM PAGE 1

much about gasoline except when it's not available
or when cost swings are more dramatic than they
are accustomed to.  We need to find a lot of diffe-
rent ways of communicating the tremendous bene-
fits of RFG in California.
Forum:  What messages should we take to the public?
Novak:  We are working on that.  The research we've

the driver and for California.
Forum:  How important is consumer research?
Novak:  Research keeps us aimed in the right dir-
ection.  It will help us focus our campaign on what
we know most people are thinking or feeling, as
opposed to simply reacting to the loudest voices
of the moment. Although industry has done a lot
of research nationally on consumer attitudes, the
research we're doing through the ARB will give
us specific information about California consum-
ers that we can share freely with everybody who
is doing RFG public education.
Forum:  What's the next step?
Novak:  In June, we surveyed 1,100 randomly-
selected California drivers by telephone.  We
then tested the results of that survey in three
focus groups around the state.  By Labor Day
we'll have research results that will help us use
our resources most effectively.

David Novak's experience includes environ-
mental communications work for organiza-
tions such as the South Coast Air Quality
Management District, Nissan North America,
and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Prior to starting his own consulting firm,
Novak served as Director of Communica-
tions for L. A. Mayor Richard J. Riordan
where he received the Mayor's Medal for his
work following the Northridge earthquake.

CEC and ARB Monitor Supply and Demand; Contingency Planning Begins

Supply and Demand -- The Energy Commission (CEC) staff continues to refine their estimates of supply and demand for California RFG through the year 2000.  The estimates show that the projected supply of California RFG can meet the state's demand for gasoline through the year 2000.
Petroleum Product List --To evaluate the impact of California RFG on production of other petroleum products, the CEC is also preparing an estimated product slate.  This will show how the projected statewide production of California RFG may affect availability of federal RFG, conventional gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products.
Contingency Planning -- CEC and ARB staff are meeting individually with refiners to explore how, and if, mechanical problems at refineries could lead to disruptions in RFG production. The purpose is to consider how to minimize any potential supply disruptions.

• Health Effects -- The Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services has released its final report, "An Investigation of Health Concerns Attributed to Reformulated Gasoline in Southeastern Wisconsin."  The study found no connection between exposure to RFG and the acute, adverse health effects reported in Milwaukee.
• Air Quality:  Before and After RFG -- The Air Resources Board will evaluate the effects of California RFG on southern California air quality. Contact:  Randy Pasek (916) 324-8496.
• Public Perceptions -- The American Petroleum Institute has completed a series of studies on attitudes toward RFG.  Among the studies' findings -- the public is not well informed about RFG.
• Car Makers Support Cleaner Gasoline -- The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (members are Chysler, Ford, and GM) has released a booklet, Clean  Gasoline Has Come to Your Part of the Country, supporting the use of RFG.

Janet Hathaway is Senior Attorney for the
Natural Resources Defense Council, San
Francisco.

CALIFORNIA RFG FORUM is published quarterly by
the California Air Resources Board in cooperation with
the Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline Advisory Commit-
tee.  Address correspondence to Editor, CALIFORNIA
RFG Forum, Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815,
Sacramento, CA 95812.  Phone (800) ARB-HLP2
(inside CA) or (916) 323-3336 (outside CA).  FAX
(916) 445-5023.
The opinions expressed in CALFIRONIA RFG Forum
do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the
Air Resources Board, nor does mention of trade names
or commercial products constitute endorsement or re-
commendation for use.

PERFORMANCE Cont. from page 1

     "The preliminary findings are very promising
and confirm much of what we already knew
from previous road and laboratory studies,"
says Dean Simeroth, project leader for the
ARB Test Program.  "However, we need as
much evidence as we can get to assure people
that California RFG will perform well in every-
thing that runs on gasoline -- whether it's a
chain saw, a truck, or an outboard motor."
     To put together a representative test fleet,
the ARB enlisted the help of California busin-
esses and government agencies.  "The cooper-
ation from administrators, fleet managers, and
mechanics has been invaluable," states
Simeroth.  "They have provided the critical
classes of old and new vehicles and equipment
that we wanted to test on California RFG."  

     Operators and manufacturers are also
testing California RFG in equipment such as
lawnmowers, construction equipment, and
marine equipment.  Research from companies
such as Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh have
shown no problems.
     ARB researchers are gathering and evalua-
ting data so that information will be available to
the public well before California RFG is sold at
the pump.

Performance Notes

• Chevron and Texaco are testing
  California RFG in employee and
  company autos and trucks -- including a
  good sample of high-mileage vehicles.
• ARB Board member Doug Vagim has
  joined the ARB Test Program -- he is
  using California RFG test fuel in his
  1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais.