Some Michigan communities will be under seasonal gas rules again this summer in an effort to reduce harmful smog levels.
But what are these rules, and who is affected?
The summertime gasoline program goes into effect Thursday, June 1, until September 15. During that time, gas stations in eight Southeast Michigan counties may only sell/dispense a summer-formula of gas, which cannot exceed 7 pounds per square inch (PSI) vapor pressure.
Summer-grade gasoline has a lower volatility than winter-grade gas in order to limit evaporative emissions that will increase with warmer weather and cause unhealthy ground-level ozone, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That means it doesn’t change from liquid to vapor as easily as winter-grade.
Related: Why Detroit air meets ozone standard but West Michigan does not
For refineries, it costs more to make summer-grade gasoline, which can have an impact on retail pump prices in the summer, according to federal officials.
For customers, the summer-grade gas may offer a slight increase in fuel efficiency since it’s slower to evaporate.
The summer gas program was established in 1996. It has since affected eight counties in southeast Michigan, including Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne, because the region failed to meet federal standards for ozone pollution.
A spokesperson for Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said the region was recently “placed back into attainment for ozone by the EPA” but the summer gas regulation remains in place to ensure the region continues to meet the standard.
Throughout the more than three-month period, inspectors will conduct on-site testing to sample. Retailers can be fined and sanctioned for violating the requirement through mid-September.
A spokesperson for Michigan’s Department or Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said prices at the pump are market dependent and aren’t a factor of the summer gas program. She said the biggest impact of the seasonal rule change is on the cleanliness of the air in the community.
Consumers with concerns about gasoline quality or quantity can call the MDARD Motor Fuels Quality Hotline at 1-800-MDA-FUEL (1-800-632-3835).
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