U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer has urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse recent vapor testing requirements for gasoline cargo tanks that were implemented during the Biden administration. The new regulations, which align national standards with those used in California, have caused confusion and unexpected costs for small business fuel marketers across the country.
Cramer, who serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led a group of 10 senators in sending a letter to the EPA requesting a return to previous federal standards. The senators argue that early enforcement of these rules is already creating problems for businesses responsible for transporting gasoline from supply terminals to local gas stations.
“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,” Cramer 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.”
The letter also states: “Small businesses in our states should not be subject to California’s regulatory overreach. We respectfully request that the EPA work with industry stakeholders to revisit the final rule and restore the prior standard for sources regulated under Subpart XXa and Subpart BBBBBB, while reverting to the former range pressure drop range of 1.0 to 2.5 inches under Subpart R. 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.”
Matt Bjornson of Bjornson Oil Company in Cavalier expressed support for Cramer’s efforts: “Senator Cramer’s leadership and support of our industry’s attempts to roll back unnecessary and burdensome changes by the Biden administration concerning cargo tank vapor tightness testing have been invaluable. The increased testing thresholds provide no benefit for the environment in states like North Dakota, yet if upheld would increase the cost of transporting petroleum, disproportionally impacting small business, and in the end costing consumers money at the pump.”
Other senators signing onto Cramer’s letter include John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Curtis (R-UT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
Cramer represents North Dakota in the U.S. Senate under the federal government according to his official website. He maintains multiple offices across North Dakota and Washington D.C., facilitating constituent engagement through services such as federal agency assistance and public information outreach (source). He holds degrees from Concordia College and University of Mary (source) and emphasizes national defense as part of his committee assignments (source).
The full text of Cramer’s letter can be found online.
