Local refiners supply smog-reducing gasoline to help clear the air

 

Jun. 26, 2006 — With the region experiencing its first heat wave of the summer and an air quality Smog Watch already in effect, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency commends regional oil refiners and suppliers for voluntarily supplying special smog-reducing gasoline.

This special summer gasoline makes a big difference in the Puget Sound area, where people use approximately 3.4 million gallons of gasoline to drive roughly 80 million miles every day in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. All of that driving, plus using gas-powered yard and recreation equipment, adds up to more than 50 percent of the summer smog-forming emissions.

The gasoline, called low-vapor pressure fuel, reduces smog-forming pollutants in our region by more than five percent by reducing tailpipe emissions and evaporation of hydrocarbons from vehicle gas tanks, gas stations and fuel-transfer operations. Hydrocarbons are a key contributor to the formation of ozone, or summer smog.

BP (ARCO), Shell Puget Sound Refining Company (Shell), Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company (Tesoro), and Conoco/Phillips (76) are producers of smog-reducing gasoline, which will also be distributed at Chevron, Exxon and Mobil stations.

“We applaud the voluntary efforts the region’s oil refiners and suppliers are making to protect air quality,” said Dennis McLerran, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. “This is the eighth year they have gone above and beyond regulatory requirements to protect air quality for the sake of our lungs and our treasured summertime views of the mountains.”

Smog forms on hot, still summer days when sunlight “cooks” emissions from gasoline engines and other sources. Since we can’t control the weather or stop the use of gasoline, the availability of cleaner fuels play a key role in the agency’s summer smog program.
“These voluntary initiatives, along with the clean-air choices individuals make when we issue a summer Smog Watch really help to improve and protect air quality across the region,” McLerran said.

Among the clean-air choices individuals can make:

• Reduce driving by carpooling, biking, walking, trip linking or teleworking.
• Avoid using gasoline-powered yard and recreational equipment.
• Don’t idle your engine. Idling for longer than 30 seconds actually burns more fuel than turning off and restarting your engine.
• Refuel vehicles in the cooler evening hours.

To learn more about summer smog and to sign up for e-mail notification for Smog Watch or other air quality calls to action, visit www.pscleanair.org.