Reformulated gasoline targeted

The second plan targets reformulated gasoline rules, which require gas stations in the St. Louis area to sell fuel that incorporates ethanol and other components, reducing smog-causing pollution.

Bybee said Parson would have submit a formal request to the EPA for the agency to officially remove Missouri from the RFG program.

The influential Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association is pushing the state to drop the RFG rules.

Ronald Leone, lobbyist for the group, said when conventional oil sales are allowed, consumers and small businesses benefit because conventional oil is easier to source than “boutique” blends.

“I use the example of ice cream,” he said. “The more places that use chocolate and vanilla, the more likely there’ll be plenty of chocolate and vanilla to go around. If you have to produce 31 flavors of ice cream, there will be many times in which certain flavors are unavailable or more expensive.

Reformulated gas is “harder to get, oftentimes more expensive, and the pricing of it is more volatile because it’s made in smaller batches,” he said.