Monday, March 2, 2026 –
Today, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND),
along with Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
and nine additional senators called on EPA
Administrator Lee Zeldin to immediately reverse
a 2024 Biden administration rule that tightens
annual vapor testing requirements for gasoline
cargo tanks. The letter cautions that the
regulation threatens fuel supply chains and
places an undue burden on America’s small
business fuel marketers.
In a formal
letter to Administrator Zeldin, Senators
highlighted how the rule imposes stricter
standards, originating from California, that
deviate sharply from long-standing federal
requirements. The revised allowable pressure and
vacuum changes for the cargo tank annual
certification test now limits pressure loss
during testing for all cargo tanks to just 0.50
to 1.25 inches of water over five minutes,
depending on compartment size. This replaces the
previous, more practical nationwide standard of
three inches of water column, regardless of tank
size.
“Small businesses in our states
should not be subject to California’s regulatory
overreach,” the letter states. “We urge you to
continue the Trump administration’s longstanding
support for small businesses by reversing this
Biden-era mandate and restoring the prior cargo
tank testing standard.”
The Energy
Marketers of America (EMA) has already reported
that some liquid fuel terminals are prematurely
enforcing the new, tighter standards—well ahead
of the 2027 compliance deadline—creating
immediate compliance costs, operational
confusion, and the very real risk of fuel supply
disruptions. Cargo tank operators unable to meet
the stricter limits on short notice could be
denied access to terminals, directly threatening
daily deliveries to thousands of gas stations,
farms, ranches, emergency services, and other
critical users.
“Gasoline is typically
transported daily in large cargo tank vehicles
collecting the product from supply terminals and
delivering it directly to underground storage
tanks at gas stations,” the letter explains.
“Absent corrective action, these standards could
result in fuel supply disruptions if cargo tank
vehicles are denied terminal access due to an
inability to immediately comply with these
unnecessary requirements.”
The letter
emphasized that the original, science-based
standards had successfully protected air quality
for decades without compromising the reliable
flow of motor fuels that powers the American
economy. Reinstating the prior pressure-loss
thresholds would eliminate needless compliance
burdens while preserving environmental
protections.
Senators urged the EPA to
engage directly with industry stakeholders to
revise the final rule and restore regulatory
certainty for the nation’s small business fuel
distribution network.
“Reverting to this
standard will support fuel supply continuity and
ensure that first responders, motorists,
farmers, ranchers, and other industries critical
to America’s success have reliable access to an
adequate fuel supply,” the letter concludes.
“EMA expresses its appreciation for the
Senators’ commitment to support America’s small
business energy marketers,” said EMA President
Rob Underwood.
Click here to read the letter. |
