
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, December 17, 1993                   TAG: 9312170240
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

PRICE FOR SMOG IS NICKEL A GALLON

Motorists who live in the smoggiest parts of the country will pay as much as 5 cents a gallon more for gas in 1995 when a new low-polluting blend is sold, and another penny at the end of the decade, the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday.

For some cities, which already are required to use a new, more expensive anti-pollution fuel in winter, the price increase will be less noticeable in winter than in summer.

EPA estimates that the price will go up 3 to 5 cents a gallon for the new clean-burning gas required in the nine smoggiest cities beginning in January 1995, and voluntarily adopted by 12 Northeastern states and the District of Columbia.

It will reduce toxic emissions and smog-producing chemicals from vehicles by 15 percent to 17 percent in 1995, and several percentage points more in 2000, said EPA Assistant Administrator Mary Nichols.

Meanwhile, concerns were raised about the legal foundation for a separate rule EPA is proposing to promote use of ethanol in reformulated fuel.

As it firmed up its regulation on the low-smog fuel, EPA also announced its new proposal to require 30 percent of the reformulated gas be made with renewable fuels, namely corn-based ethanol products.

Nichols said the administration believes there is "appropriate basis" under a Clean Air Act provision for considering energy requirements in its decision to set smog reduction requirements.

Nonetheless, Nichols acknowledged the controversy surrounding the "novel approach" of the effort to boost ethanol and said the agency is seeking public comment on the legal issue before making the rule final.

Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas predicted the 30 percent renewable proposal almost certainly "will face extensive court challenges."

The nine smoggiest cities are Baltimore; Hartford, Conn.; Los Angeles; San Diego; New York; Philadelphia; Washington; Houston; and Chicago.

by CNB