Natural Resources committee approves resolution to remove reformulated gasoline rule for Jefferson, parts of Oldham and Bullitt counties

The Kentucky Senate Natural Resources Committee approved a joint resolution directing the Energy and Environmental Cabinet to revise the state air quality implementation plan and remove the requirement for reformulated gasoline in Jefferson County and applicable parts of Oldham and Bullitt counties.

Senator Neebs, carrying legislation for Senator Adams, told the committee the change responds to developments since the reformulated gasoline requirement was imposed and to prior requests from state governors. “This is something that’s been going on for quite a while,” he said, explaining that the Environmental Protection Agency had at one time required reformulated gasoline in Northern Kentucky and the Louisville area but that improvements in vehicle emissions and fuel quality have reduced the rule’s practical effect.

The resolution, described by Neebs as a “joint resolution directing the Energy and Environmental Cabinet to adopt revisions to the state air quality implementation plan,” would remove the specific reformulated gasoline requirement for Jefferson County and the referenced parts of Oldham and Bullitt counties. Neebs told the panel that both Governor Beshear and former Governor Bevin previously requested removing the requirement for Jefferson County.

Committee members moved and seconded the resolution and the clerk conducted a roll call. The committee recorded affirmative votes and the chairman announced the motion passed, reporting the measure from committee with the recommendation that it pass. Chair Smith offered congratulations to Senator Adams for carrying the item.

The committee’s action is a committee-level recommendation to change language in Kentucky’s air quality implementation plan; the transcript does not specify an effective date or any subsequent steps at the Energy and Environmental Cabinet. The resolution text and next steps before the full Senate were not specified in the committee record.