U.S. Delays Switch to Summertime Gas After Virus Reduces Driving
- EPA gives fuel providers 20 extra days to pump winter gas
- Move necessary as fuel demand plummets, EPA chief says
Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg
This article is for subscribers only.
The Trump administration said Friday it is delaying a shift to cleaner-burning, summertime gasoline after the coronavirus pandemic caused a plummet in demand and left storage tanks full of winter-grade fuel.
The Environmental Protection Agency decided to relax those requirements for at least 20 days in response to pleas from refiners and gasoline distributors worried about their ability to drain tanks and other equipment, as coronavirus-spurred lockdowns keep cars off the roads. The EPA warned of potential fuel shortages without a waiver, because refiners and distributors otherwise are required to stop selling winter gasoline on May 1.