OAR 340-258-0170
Oxygenated Gasoline: Oxygenated Gasoline Blending
(1)
In addition to the other applicable requirements of OAR 340-258-0110 (Oxygenated Gasoline: Purpose and General Requirements) through 340-258-0310 (Oxygenated Gasoline: Contingency Provision for Carbon Monoxide Nonattainment Areas), no person may refine, distribute, blend, supply, sell, offer for sale or otherwise market any unleaded oxygenated gasoline for use in a motor vehicle unless that product:(a)
Has received a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 42 U.S.C. 7545(f)(4), as amended through November 15, 1990 and any amendments or modifications thereto; or(b)
Meets EPA’s “substantially similar” ruling for a fuel or fuel additive used to certify a model year 1975 or newer vehicle or engine under 42 U.S.C. 7525 (Clean Air Act), as amended through November 15, 1990 and any amendments or modifications thereto.(2)
Only an oxygenate that is found to be acceptable under EPA’s “substantially similar” ruling may be used in gasoline containing lead to meet the oxygenate requirements of OAR 340-258-0110 (Oxygenated Gasoline: Purpose and General Requirements) through 340-258-0310 (Oxygenated Gasoline: Contingency Provision for Carbon Monoxide Nonattainment Areas).(3)
The requirements of this rule do not affect the blending into leaded gasoline of a compound that does not require an EPA waiver or an EPA “substantially similar” ruling.(4)
Only those oxygenates and concentrations listed below and any gasoline designated by EPA as substantially similar are allowed:(a)
Blends of up to ten percent by volume anhydrous ethanol (200 proof) (commonly referred to as the “gasohol” waiver);(b)
Blends of methanol and gasoline grade tertiary butyl alcohol (GTBA) such that the total oxygen content does not exceed 3.5 percent by weight and the ratio of methanol to GTBA is less than or equal to one. It is also specified that this blended fuel must meet ASTM volatility specifications (commonly referred to as the “ARCO” waiver);(c)
Blends of up to 5.0 percent by volume methanol with a minimum of 2.5 percent by volume cosolvent alcohols having a carbon number of four or less (i.e., ethanol, propanol, butanol and/or GTBA). The total oxygen must not exceed 3.7 percent by weight, and the blend must meet ASTM volatility specifications as well as phase separation and alcohol purity and inhibitor specifications (commonly referred to as the “DuPont” waiver);(d)
Blends up to 5.0 percent by volume methanol with a minimum of 2.5 percent by volume cosolvent alcohols having a carbon number of eight or less. The total oxygen must not exceed 3.7 percent by weight and the blend must meet ASTM volatility specifications as well as phase separation and alcohol purity and inhibitor specifications (commonly referred to as the “Octamix” waiver);(e)
Blends up to 15.0 percent by volume methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) which must meet the ASTM D4614 specifications. Blenders must take precautions that the blends are not used as base gasolines for other oxygenated blends (commonly referred to as the “Sun” waiver);(f)
Blends of aliphatic alcohols other than methanol and aliphatic ethers, provided the oxygen content does not exceed 2.7 percent by weight;(g)
Blends of methanol up to 0.3 percent by volume exclusive of other oxygenates;(h)
Blends up to 2.75 percent by volume methanol with an equal volume of butanol or alcohols of a higher molecular weight.
Source:
Rule 340-258-0170 — Oxygenated Gasoline: Oxygenated Gasoline Blending, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=340-258-0170.