EPA Denies Waiver To Suspend Summer Blend Gas Requirement

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The EPA has declined to grant a waiver that would have eased the gasoline shortage in the Pittsburgh area.

Now there's a possibility some stations could run out of gas.

Because of a problem with a pipeline, the stations have been unable to get the summer blend fuel.

There's plenty of winter blend fuel, but gas stations could actually face fines for selling it.

All of the gas in our area, for environmental reasons, must be lower vapor pressure after the first of May.

Since there is still some gas in the Pittsburgh region, the EPA will continue to monitor the situation.

KDKA's David Highfield reports the EPA didn't think the situation was dire enough to grant the waiver at this point.

The request hasn't been denied altogether – they just wouldn't grant the request today.