Title of Regulation: 2VAC5-425. Vapor Pressure Requirements for Gasoline Ethanol Blends (adding 2VAC5-425-10, 2VAC5-425-20).

Statutory Authority: §§ 59.1-153 and 59.1-156 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: August 24, 2017.

Agency Contact: Joel Maddux, Program Manager, Office of Weights and Measures, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-1274, FAX (804) 786-1571, or email joel.maddux@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The regulatory action establishes a new chapter, 2VAC5-525, to address the vapor pressure requirements for ethanol blended gasoline in Virginia. Specifically, it provides a 1.0 pounds per square inch exception to the maximum vapor pressure set by ASTM International as currently outlined the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 130, Section 2.1.2., which is incorporated into Virginia's motor fuels and lubricating oils law.

Summary of Public Comments and Agency's Response: No public comments were received by the promulgating agency.

CHAPTER 425
VAPOR PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR GASOLINE ETHANOL BLENDS

2VAC5-425-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"ASTM D4806-16a" means the Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel published by ASTM International in February 2016.

"ASTM D4814-16a" means the Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel published by ASTM International in February 2016.

"psi" means pounds per square inch.

"Volatility class A" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "A" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814-16a.

"Volatility class B" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "B" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814-16a.

"Volatility class C" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "C" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814-16a.

"Volatility class D" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "D" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814-16a.

"Volatility class E" means fuel with a vapor pressure and distillation designation of "E" set forth in Table 1 Vapor Pressure and Distillation Class Requirements of ASTM D4814-16a.

2VAC5-425-20. Vapor pressure requirements; exceptions.

When gasoline is blended with ethanol, the ethanol shall meet the requirements of ASTM D4806-16a and the blend shall meet the requirements of ASTM D4814-16a, with following permissible exceptions:

1. For blends containing nine to 10 volume percent ethanol, the maximum vapor pressure shall not exceed the ASTM D4814-16a limits by more than 1.0 psi during the period of June 1 through September 15.

2. For blends containing one or more volume percent ethanol for volatility class A, B, C, or D, the maximum vapor pressure shall not exceed ASTM D4814-16a limits by more than 1.0 psi during the period of September 16 through May 31.

3. For blends containing one or more volume percent ethanol for volatility class E, the maximum vapor pressure shall not exceed ASTM D4814-16a limits by more than 0.5 psi during the period of September 16 through May 31.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (2VAC5-425)

Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel, ASTM D4814-16a, February 2016, ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, www.astm.org

Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel, ASTM D4806-16a, February 2016, ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, www.astm.org