EPA denies push by Gov. Beshear, local lawmakers to cut gas prices by ending smog mandate

Gov. Andy Beshear's request to the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to temporarily trade more pollution for lower gas prices has been denied.

Since the 1990s, EPA has required areas with high levels of smog to sell reformulated gasoline, known as RFG. This gasoline burns more cleanly and reduces toxic pollutants in the air.

EPA says RFG is responsible for 75 million people breathing cleaner air.

It also costs 20-30 cents more per gallon than other kinds of gasoline, Beshear said earlier.

With gas prices in Louisville close to $5 a gallon, some have had to choose between food or fueling their cars for the week.

More:Food or gas? As Louisville pump prices rise to almost $5, experts have dire warning

"I get why (RFG requirements) are in place," Beshear said. "But our families are suffering in paying for gas." 

Locally, the RFG mandate is in place for Jefferson County and parts of Bullitt and Oldham counties.

John Mura, the spokesperson for the Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet, said while the EPA has denied the request, it is continuing to monitor the situation.

"While we’ve been told 'no,' we’ve been told 'no' for now. We’re going to keep pushing in different ways," Beshear said Tuesday.

He has also encouraged the federal government to suspend the federal gas tax and said it would "provide a much greater level of assistance all over the country." 

"My hope is if they do that, everybody, no matter what letter is behind their name or how they feel or how they describe themselves, would support that step," Beshear said.

Beshear has also issued an emergency regulation to prevent a 2-cents-per-gallon increase to the state's gas tax, which was set to automatically go into effect July 1.

The same morning Beshear said he was requesting the EPA lift the order — June 9 — a group of local Republican lawmakers held a press conference at a BP station near the state fairgrounds, calling on Beshear to make the request.

"If you have a family of four and you're going to load up your SUV today, you're paying 32 cents more per gallon than you need to be," Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, said at the time. "We're trying to get that changed for the hardworking taxpayers of Jefferson, Oldham and Bullitt counties, and you can feel that within a week."

Staff writer Billy Kobin contributed to this report.

Reach news intern Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@gannett.com.