EPA grants waiver to keep gasoline available

Baton Rouge, LA, August 28, 2008— The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is urging Louisiana residents to fill up their gas tanks now.

And, to help ensure adequate supplies of vehicle fuel before and after the storm, DEQ has sought and received a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relaxing federal restrictions on the types of gas that can be processed and sold in the state.

“EPA’s prompt consideration and approval of this waiver will facilitate access to fuel for citizens, government agencies and first responders,” said DEQ Secretary Hal Leggett.

As the evacuation plan for south Louisiana progresses, major highways in the state will adopt the Contraflow method of traffic management. This means all lanes will carry traffic in the same direction. While the EPA waiver will help to alleviate fuel supply shortages at gas stations, the best way for citizens to make sure they have enough gas to get themselves out of harm’s way is to fill up now.

For more information on this and other issues concerning Hurricane Gustav, visit www.deq.louisiana.gov. Visit www.getagameplan.org for preparedness information and information related to Hurricane Gustav.