Standards for Automotive Fuel [46 Pa.B. 1438]
[Saturday, March 19, 2016]Section 4187.4(a) of 3 Pa.C.S. (relating to standards for automotive fuel) requires that the Department of Agriculture (Department): (1) adopt the latest automotive fuel standards for automotive spark ignition engines based on the latest standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) as determined by the Federal Trade Commission; and (2) publish notice of these standards in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
This notice supplants and replaces an earlier notice on this subject published at 44 Pa.B. 7443 (November 29, 2014).
The standards for automotive fuel adopted by the Department are the most current standards published at 16 CFR Part 306 (relating to automotive fuel ratings, certification and posting), with the following modification:
With respect to gasoline-ethanol blended automotive fuel, the maximum vapor pressure shall not exceed the limits specified in the latest ASTM International Standard D4814, Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel, by more than:
1. One pound per square inch for blends containing 9 to 10 volume percent ethanol from June 1 through September 15.
2. One pound per square inch for blends containing 1 or more volume percent ethanol for Vapor Pressure/Distillation Classes A, B, C and D from September 16 through May 31.
3. One-half pound per square inch for blends containing 1 or more volume percent ethanol for Vapor Pressure/Distillation Class E from September 16 through May 31.
The modification previously described effectively continues an exception established in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 130, Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine Fuel Quality, in this handbook's Uniform Engine Fuels and Automotive Lubricants Regulation. This NIST Handbook 130 exception expires by May 1, 2016. The Department shall effectively continue this exception, through the modification previously described, until the earlier of: (1) ASTM confirming and re-establishing that same vapor pressure tolerance in ASTM International Standard D4814; or (2) ASTM establishing a different vapor pressure tolerance; or (3) a subsequent notice from the Department changing that vapor pressure tolerance.
The referenced standards can be read online at www.ecfr.gov.
The Department will provide copies of these standards upon request at (717) 787-9089, or by writing to the Department of Agriculture, Attn: Director, Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408.
The referenced standards are adopted by the Department as of the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
RUSSELL C. REDDING,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 16-465. Filed for public inspection March 18, 2016, 9:00 a.m.]
