EPA Called Upon to Suspend Costly Gasoline Regulation Causing Harmful Urban Pollution

DENVER, Feb. 9, 2005 -- Mr. Orr, Chairman of NAFA (www.altfuels.us), a scientific-based organization, called upon the EPA to suspend its new gasoline regulation, which is adding up to $ 0.50/gallon in extra cost and increasing harmful urban ground-level ozone (smog) nationwide.

Ground level ozone is the result of an atmospheric reaction between two tailpipe emissions -- NOx and VOC's (volatile organic compounds) in the presence of sun light. An improper balance between these two emissions, which EPA has caused by their regulation, actually increases the level of ozone. See http://www.techcentralstation.com/082003D.html http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.19746/pub_detail.asp http://www.altfuels.us/pdf/photochemical_ozone_formation.pdf http://www.altfuels.us/pdf/lawson%5B1%5D.pdf

Mr. Orr stated: "The evidence gets stronger everyday that EPA made a serious mistake in mandating nationwide NOx emission reductions. EPA has created a costly imbalance between atmospheric NOx and VOC emissions that actually increases ozone. The human cost is just too high, especially for our children in the large cities for this fact to be ignored or buried! No matter what the outcome of our pending litigation (NAFA v EPA, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,146345,00.html ), we think the responsible thing for the EPA to do now is suspend this regulation."

Dr. Don Stedman of the University of Denver, an expert in atmospheric chemistry, said: "We are not seeing urban ozone across the country decline in response to reductions in NOx. In fact, we are seeing increases in ozone in most of urban population areas like southern California, Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Chicago New York, Philadelphia, and the San Francisco Bay area. Unfortunately, the evidence strongly suggests that further reductions of NOx emissions not accompanied by significant HC reductions will only exacerbate ozone formation."

Dr. Erwin Gelfand, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver Colorado, said: "Ozone poses a potentially serious problem for children. At present, it is unclear what the long term effects of elevated ozone exposures are in children, in those with developing lungs (younger children) and especially those with underlying lung disease. For these reasons, and without further information on potentially competing atmospheric phenomena that may cause ozone, it is incumbent on those who formulate policy to fully understand the underlying science and impact that a perceived benefit may have in potentially causing an increased risk, when reducing an emission."

NAFA challenged EPA's underlying science and claims EPA used a single test vehicle, which EPA modified to justify their national gasoline rule. NAFA further claims EPA "forced their data" to comport with a "predetermined conclusion" that was put into the record after it was too late for the public to comment. http://www.altfuels.us/nafa_vs_epa.php Oral arguments in the case are scheduled February 14th, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. before the US Federal Court of Appeals, DC Circuit.

NAFA estimates the harmful regulation is costing an extra $0.20 to $0.50/ gal. "The EPA is ripping us off to the tune of $10 every time we fill up our SUV's," said Orr.

NAFA was the only organization that questioned the EPA's underlying science used to mandate the gasoline additive MBTE, see http://www.altfuels.us/who.php#mtbe. MTBE become the second largest volume chemical produced in America and was later determined to be a potential carcinogen. Unfortunately, MTBE also was implicated in poisoning pristine underground aquifers across the country. It has since been banned in California, NY, Massachusetts, Canada and elsewhere.

See OP-Ed "BAD EPA Science Costs You Big - Again!" http://www.altfuels.us/pdf/bad_epa_science_costs.pdf