PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – Good news for Pittsburgh area motorists, at least for now. The federal EPA has granted Allegheny County a waiver until June 17th on the sale of more expensive summer gasoline. Drivers can thank reported damage to the Buckeye Laurel pipeline that delivers low volatility gas to the region.
In a statement, the EPA says it determined, "that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania as a result of damage (to the pipeline."
The Allegheny County Health Department requested the waiver. Deputy Director for Environmental Health Jim Kelly says they acted to avert a shortage.
"There's no longer the excuse that the producers are going to have to sell summer gasoline in the area," said Kelly. "There's not a state rule, there's not a county rule, and the EPA no longer has a federal rule that it is enforcing."
The waiver lasts a maximum of 20 days and Kelly hopes the EPA will take final action by then to remove the summer gas rule completely. The agency has already proposed ending it.
Houston-based Buckeye isn't saying exactly where the damage occurred.
"On May 20 a release of water occurred on a segment of the Laurel Pipeline near Pittsburgh during scheduled maintenance and hydrostatic testing," the company said in a statement. "The small and isolated segment is undergoing repairs and deliveries continue to all regional terminals." No word when repairs will be complete.
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