Gasoline combustion results in the
formation of engine deposits. The accumulation of deposits,
particularly in the orifices of fuel injectors and on intake
valves, typically results in increased emissions and reduced engine
performance. As fuel injectors replaced carburetors in the 1980's,
a number of vehicle manufacturers experienced problems with deposit
formation. Detergent additives, which had been available for years
to control deposits in carbureted vehicles, were improved to
accommodate the new technology. However, their use was voluntary
and there were no regulatory standards by which to gauge their
effectiveness. Congress recognized the importance of effective
detergent additives in minimizing vehicle emissions, and added
Section 211(1) in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. It required
gasoline to contain detergent additives, effective January 1, 1995,
and provided the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the
authority to establish specifications for such additives. The
regulations at 40 CFR 80 - Subpart G implemented certification
requirements for detergents and imposed a variety of recordkeeping
and reporting requirements for certain parties involved with
detergents, gasoline, or post-refinery component (any gasoline
blending stock or any oxygenate which is blended with gasoline
subsequent to the gasoline refining process (PRC)). All gasolines
must contain certified detergents, with the exception of research,
racing, and aviation gasolines. The EPA maintains a list of
certified gasoline detergents at www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels. As of
June 2007 there were 393 certified detergents and 18 detergent
manufacturers. Most of the certification activity occurred during
the early years of the program. In 2006 only 9 detergents were
certified. During January-June 2007, 1 detergent was certified.
There are approximately 250 refiners and importers of gasoline,
1350 blenders of detergent into gasoline or PRC, 8000 carriers of
gasoline or PRC, 200,000 gasoline retail outlets, and 100,000 fleet
facilities which handle gasoline. The program is run by the
Transportation and Regional Programs Division, Office of
Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation, EPA,
in Washington, DC.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
1655ss06.doc
Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Detergent Gasoline (Detergent Manufacturer Submissions for Certification)