WICKER, HYDE-SMITH ASK EPA TO REVERSE BIDEN-ERA VAPOR TESTING REQUIREMENTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) this week joined colleagues in asking the Trump administration to reverse a Biden administration rule that imposes costly restrictions on the fuel marketers who transport gasoline from supply terminals to local gas stations.

The Mississippi lawmakers signed a letter led by U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin that called for the repeal of the 2024 Biden-era rule regarding annual cargo tank vapor tightness requirements under the Clean Air Act, which was based on "overzealous regulatory standards" set by the State of California. The early implementation of the Biden rule at some supply terminals has led to disproportionate harm to small business fuel marketers.

"In discussions with small business owners in our respective states, we were made aware of the technical challenges and costly operational changes required to comply with this Biden EPA mandate. These challenges are already materializing as some operators at liquid fuel terminals are prematurely enforcing the revised vapor tightness standards ahead of the 2027 compliance date, creating confusion and imposing unexpected costs on small business fuel marketers," the Senators wrote. "Industry stakeholders have warned that, absent corrective action by the Trump administration, these standards could result in fuel supply disruptions if charge tank vehicles are denied terminal access due to an inability to immediately comply with these unnecessary requirements."

"Small businesses in our states should not be subject to California's regulatory overreach," wrote the Senators in their appeal for EPA to work with industry stakeholders to revise the Biden rule and restore the prior standards.

"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 Senators continued.

In addition to Cramer, Wicker, and Hyde-Smith, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).

Wicker serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, while Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee - both of which have jurisdiction over the EPA.

Read the full letter here.