The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) wants to drop a requirement forcing the Portland area to use cleaner-burning oxygenated gasoline in winter because the agency says it's no longer necessary to reduce carbon monoxide pollution. The DEQ was unsuccessful in a previous attempt to repeal the requirement. Then and now, the idea has drawn strong opposition from conservationists and city officials. "Your air can never be too clean," said Chris Hagerbaumer of the Oregon Environmental Council. Portland-area gasoline dealers must sell oxygenated fuel -- typically gasoline with a 10 percent ethanol mix -- from the first of November through February. The requirement, in place since 1992, came in response to amendments to the federal Clean Air Act and at a time in which Portland had a history of exceeding federal standards for carbon monoxide. Portland has seen a steady drop in carbon monoxide pollution and has met federal standards during most of the 1990s. Stephanie Hallock, Oregon DEQ director, said she's recommending the winter oxygenated fuel requirement be repealed in Portland because there is no longer any reason to keep it in place. Hallock received a letter from Portland Mayor Vera Katz and the four city commissioners urging the department to retain the regulation. The winter oxygenated fuels program has "been very successful not only in reducing CO (carbon monoxide) emissions from vehicles but also in reducing emissions of harmful toxics as well as the greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide)," they said. The petroleum industry has long lobbied for the repeal. "There's no need to mandate" the use of ethanol, said Steve O'Toole, executive director of the Oregon Petroleum Marketers Association. Oregon's Environmental Quality Commission and the federal Environmental Protection Agency must approve the change, which would not take effect this winter. The DEQ is accepting public comment on its proposal until October 25th, and the Environmental Quality Commission is scheduled to make a decision during its December 9-10 meetings in Portland. Instead of dropping the requirement for cleaner-burning fuels, Oregon should be looking for more ways to improve its air quality.

Ran 9/7/04