Oil industry, at White House, makes case against EPA fuels rule

Big refining companies and a major industry trade group are taking their case against tougher Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) vehicle emissions and fuel rules to the White House.

Representatives from Shell, Marathon Petroleum and the American Petroleum Institute met Feb. 21 with White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) aides about the EPA’s planned “Tier 3” low-sulfur gasoline rules, records show.

Industry groups contend the rules will create billions of dollars in compliance costs while providing little benefit, noting that existing standards have already required steep cuts in the sulfur content of gasoline.

The EPA sent the proposed low-sulfur gasoline regulation to OMB in late January.

Public health and environmental groups have urged the EPA to proceed with the delayed fuel and vehicle emissions rules, which the organization had earlier intended to finalize in 2012.

“This is a crucial plan to cut smog levels nationwide. Every car on the road would immediately pollute less with lower-sulfur gasoline. OMB must not delay this important rule,” said Frank O’Donnell of Clean Air Watch when the EPA sent the draft rule to the White House for review.