Cleaner Gasoline Regulation (CGR) - Policy Intentions Paper for Consultation
The Ministry of Environment intends to amend the Cleaner Gasoline Regulation (CGR) under the Environmental Management Act. This Act, which was brought into force in its current form on July 8, 2004, provides a flexible authorization framework, increases enforcement options and uses modern environmental management tools to protect human health and the quality of water, land and air in British Columbia.
The proposed amendment to the CGR will address two issues: allowing for the distribution of automotive ethanol fuel (E85) in B.C., as well as phasing out the Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) waiver, which allows ethanol-blended gasoline in the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) to exceed the prescribed limits for vapour pressure during warmer months of the year.
The current regulation references two Canadian General Standard Board (CGSB) standards in their entirety, which effectively disallows the sale of E85. Because of the growing demand for renewable fuels and several vehicle models already on the roads in B.C. that are designed to use E85, it is appropriate to amend the CGR at this time to allow the sale of E85.
The B.C. Renewable Fuel Requirements Regulation (RFRR) that comes into effect January 1, 2010 will require an average of 5% ethanol in all gasoline sold in British Columbia. Removing the RVP waiver will ensure that there are no negative effects on air quality resulting from the increased ethanol present in gasoline.
Public Consultation Process
The intentions paper for the regulation was posted in August, 2009. Comments were solicited for a period of 45 days. The intentions paper and a summary of the comments received are available here:
Intentions Update
The ministry’s intentions for the Cleaner Gasoline Regulation amendment have been updated from those indicated in Fall, 2009 to incorporate stakeholder feedback received by the ministry.
Changed policy intentions include:
- Retaining the summertime 7kPA waiver (relaxation of CGSB standards) for the Lower Fraser Valley (for all blends of gasoline) until January 1st, 2013 (unchanged from IP)
- Addition of a new year-round 7kPA waiver (relaxation of CGSB standards) for the Lower Fraser Valley (for mid-grade, premium grade and super premium grade) until January 1st, 2013 (New)
- Addition of a new year-round 7kPA waiver (relaxation of CGSB standards) for outside the Lower Fraser Valley (for regular, mid-grade, premium grade and super premium grade) until January 1st, 2013 (New)
VOC emissions associated with the of the temporary relaxation of the CGSB standards are a very small percentage of the total VOC emissions. Based on this small percentage, the regional distribution of the emissions increment, and evidence from other air quality modelling studies, the changes in regional air quality are expected to be very minor.
Contacts
Ministry of Environment: Andrea Mercer or Ben Clark
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