Majority Whip Willoughby said on Mar. 30 that a recent Trump Administration air quality ruling may allow Arizona to end its requirement for a special summer gasoline blend in Maricopa and Pinal counties, which she said increases fuel costs for families each year.
The issue is important because the boutique gasoline blend required in these counties is more expensive to produce and can make the state vulnerable to price spikes. Willoughby said, “The main reason drivers in Maricopa and Pinal counties pay more for gas in the summer is that these areas are forced to use a special boutique blend made only for Arizona. It costs more to produce, limits supply, and leaves our state more vulnerable to price spikes. The question is whether this requirement is still doing anything meaningful to improve air quality. If it is not, then Arizona families are being forced to pay more for little to no benefit.”
Willoughby has been working with officials at various levels of government since January, when she sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about making permanent changes that would reduce fuel costs while still meeting federal standards. She introduced several legislative measures including HB 2400, which would suspend the state’s gas tax on summer fuel; HB 2401, requiring regular reviews of cheaper fuel options; HB 2696, directing studies of alternative blends and prices; and HB 2955, mandating an immediate switch once federal approval comes through.
She explained that changing the blend requires Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to show federal regulators that new blends will still meet air standards: “In order to change the blend, Arizona must submit a request to the EPA…and show that we can still meet federal air quality standards with the new blend.” She added that out-of-state emissions play a major role: “The modeling used…must take into account the fact that a major share of emissions affecting our state comes from outside our borders… The Trump Administration’s recent decision recognizing international transport acknowledges this impact and gives Arizona more room.”
Willoughby also asked local governments in February if switching from an RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) of 7.0 pounds per square inch (psi) gasoline—currently required—to a lower-cost RVP 7.4 psi version was possible without harming air quality. Preliminary modeling found almost no increase in ozone concentration as a result—”between zero and 0.01 parts per billion,” according to her office—which Willoughby called “a negligible impact.” She urged Governor Hobbs’ administration not to delay action: “If Governor Hobbs is serious about lowering fuel costs, she should direct her agency to act immediately.”
Links provided by Willoughby’s office include her original letter requesting analysis (here), preliminary modeling results (here), and her follow-up letter on next steps (here). Carbone was elected as Republican representative for District 25 in Arizona’s State House after Michelle Udall according to available information.
Willoughby concluded by saying: “The modeling is favorable. The facts are lining up in Arizona’s favor. We should seize this opportunity and make the case for lasting gas affordability now.”
