Trump Administration To End Summer Gas Restriction Early

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a waiver allowing for sales of gas with a higher evaporation potential starting on Sept. 1.

The Trump administration is ending summertime smog restrictions on gas early this year.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a waiver allowing for sales of gas with a higher evaporation potential starting on Sept. 1, rather than the middle of the month. In the summer, this is typically banned to prevent evaporation and smog formation due to the heat.

The EPA said the move would add to the nation’s gasoline supply by “hundreds of thousands” of barrels per day. Overall U.S. gas consumption was 8.9 million barrels per day on average last year.

The move comes as a relief offer for high prices at the pump. The war in Iran has driven up the price of oil, with the average U.S. gas price around $4.10 per gallon Friday.