EPA Toughens Toxic Emissions Standards (benzene) - AP

[Eugene]

EPA Toughens Toxic Emissions Standards

By MATTHEW DALY
The Associated Press
Friday, February 9, 2007; 3:11 PM

WASHINGTON -- Toxic fumes from cars and gasoline would be cut significantly under
new limits on cancer-causing benzene, adopted by the Bush administration under legal
pressure from environmental groups.

The requirements, to take effect between 2009 and 2011, would reduce toxic emissions
of benzene and other pollutants from passenger vehicles by up to 80 percent in the
next two decades, the government said Friday.

The Environmental Protection Agency said the rules would toughen benzene standards
for gasoline, require cleaner-starting engines in cold temperatures and tighten fuel
container standards to reduce the evaporation of harmful fumes.

-snip-

The new rule meets a court order that EPA require refineries to meet an average 0.62
percent benzene fuel limit by 2011, down from the current average of 0.97 percent.
The rule also would create a trading program that would let refineries buy emissions
credits to meet new regional limits, rather than impose strict emissions controls.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/09/AR2007020900981.html