As Hurricane Gustav makes landfall in the U.S. Gulf Coast, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to temporarily waive certain federal clean gasoline requirements for parts of Texas.

The waiver will last until Sept. 10, 2008 and will allow greater flexibility for the fuel distribution system to support an adequate supply. Granted by EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, the waiver was based on the the extreme and unusual supply circumstances presented by hurricane Gustav, which are likely to result in a shortage of gasoline in some areas.

The waiver allows gasoline sold in certain counties to exceed the 7.8 RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) gasoline volatility standards that are in place during the “high ozone season.” The waiver also enables the sale of conventional gasoline in reformulated gas (RFG) areas. As required by law, EPA and DOE evaluated the situation and determined that granting a short-term waiver was consistent with the public interest.

“I have determined that an ‘extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstance’ exists that will prevent the distribution of an adequate supply of gasoline to consumers in the RFG and RVP covered areas,” Bodman said in the letter (pdf).

The move comes just days after the EPA granted similar Clean Air Act waivers for parts of Louisiana and Florida.

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