EPA waives clean fuel rules in storm

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has temporarily waived some federal clean gasoline requirements for Louisiana as Tropical Storm Isaac slams the state.

The waiver was granted in coordination with the Department of Energy at the request of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Wednesday morning when Isaac was still rated a hurricane, an EPA release said Wednesday.

Extreme and unusual supply circumstances are likely to result in a shortage of gasoline compliant with federal regulations, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson determined, saying the waiver will help ensure an adequate supply of gasoline in Louisiana until normal supply to the region can be restored.

The waiver is effective for 10 days.

To mitigate any impacts on air quality, the Clean Air Act provides strict criteria for when fuels waivers may be granted and requires that waivers be limited as much as possible in terms of their geographic scope and duration, the EPA said.