Press Release

Governors from 13 Western states signed a letter today to EPA Administrator Carol Browner urging her to adopt the Western Regional Air Partnership’s recommendation affecting small refineries. They cited the recommendation as an example of the Western Governors’ Association’s Enlibra principles at work. The principles call for, in part, greater collaboration, stakeholder involvement and incentives to resolve environmental issues.

"Through a remarkable stakeholder process which included representatives from the refinery industry, automobile manufacturers, environmental groups, tribes and states, the WRAP developed a consensus recommendation on these issues," the letter stated.

The recommendation supports the proposed rule’s national standard for sulfur in gasoline, provided that the WRAP’s new definition for small refineries is adopted along with a phased-in schedule for meeting the EPA standard.

"The WRAP recommendation...ultimately produces the full air quality benefits associated with the rule and would achieve 98 percent of the benefit of the proposed rule during the phase-in of the standard for the new small refinery category," the letter stated. "In other words, with a temporary loss during the period of phase-in of only 2 percent of the air quality benefit of the proposed rule, we can ensure the viability of small inland refineries in the West, and as a result prevent the loss of jobs, disruption of the supply of gasoline, and disproportionate increases in the cost of gasoline."

"We hope you appreciate and respect the significance of reaching a consensus on this issue in the West. There were great divides separating states and among stakeholders when we began our discussions, and only because of the commitment to the environment and the desire for fairness and balance on the part of all parties was consensus reached," the letter continued. "Also, please understand that because of the enormous amount of give and take, the consensus is carefully crafted, and any selective use of the recommendations may severely undermine the collective support for them."

Governors signing the letter included Benjamin J. Cayetano, HI, Dirk Kempthorne, ID; Mike Leavitt, Utah, co-chair of the WRAP; Mike Johanns, Neb.; Kenny Guinn, Nev.; Marc Racicot, Mont.; William Janklow, S.D.; Jim Geringer, Wyo.; John Kitzhaber, Ore.; Gary Locke, WA; Jane Dee Hull, Ariz.; Edward T. Schafer, N.D.; and Gary Johnson, N.M.

Additional information on the WRAP and its recommendations can be found on its Web site at http://www.wrapair.org/. Additional information about the WGA Enlibra principles can be found at www.westgov.org/Enlibra.

The Western Governors’ Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states, two territories and one commonwealth. Through their association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.

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