[SEPT. 6, 2005] SPRINGFIELD -- In an effort to minimize or
prevent fuel supply disruptions in the wake of problems caused by
Hurricane Katrina, the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced
Friday that an allowance will be granted to gas stations with older
pumps to sell fuel by the half-gallon. This temporary variance for
half-gallon pricing will be allowed only for pumps incapable of
computing above $2.999.
The Illinois Department of
Agriculture will also accept federal emergency volatility waivers
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allowing early use of
winter gasoline as well as the use of diesel fuel with higher sulfur
content.
"Many older gas stations around the state, especially in
rural areas, do not have pumps capable of displaying prices higher
than $2.999," said Chuck Hartke, director of agriculture. "We are
working to get all older gas pumps into compliance, but in the
meantime this means that $3 gas will be displayed at some pumps as
$1.50. The alternative would be to shut those gas stations down
until they were in compliance, but for consumer convenience, we're
doing everything we can to not disrupt the fuel supply in areas of
the state."
Stations not equipped to display proper per-gallon prices will be
allowed to display half-gallon pricing immediately; however, proper
notification must be sent to the Illinois Department of Agriculture
and meet the following criteria:
Station owner must submit in writing, via mail or fax, a
notice that the station is adopting half-gallon pricing.
Send to:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Weights and Measures
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
Fax: (217) 524-7801
Station owner must indicate plan to be in compliance with
regulations for sale of gasoline, either through the purchase of
new pumps or upgrade kits.
Station owner must provide estimated date of when equipment
will be installed.
Stations must clearly indicate on pumps and price signs that
the price advertised is for a half-gallon.
If advertising signs cannot reflect half-gallon prices,
advertising prices will be prohibited
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is waiving the
requirement to sell summer gasoline, effective immediately. The
Clean Air Act requires the use of low-volatility gasoline over the
summer months. The early use of winter gasoline as well as the use
of diesel fuel with a sulfur content over 500 parts per million has
been approved in all 50 states. The EPA is asking gas stations to
take all reasonable steps to sell on-hand inventories of gasoline
and diesel fuel that would otherwise meet applicable federal
standards.
