KENTUCKY, USA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has denied Governor Andy Beshear's request for more affordable gas to be sold in Kentucky as gas prices remain at an all-time high.
Last week, Beshear requested the EPA grant a waiver removing the requirement that "reformulated" fuel, or RFG, be sold in urban areas, including Louisville.
Cities with high smog levels are federally required to use RFG. Louisville has been under this mandate since 1995.
RFG is a gas blend that burns cleaner than regular gasoline, however it's more expensive to produce, usually costing 20-30 cents more per gallon.
If Beshear's waiver had been approved, it would have allowed conventional, more affordable gas to be sold in Jefferson County, and parts of Bullitt and Oldham counties, for up to 20 days.
A spokesperson for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet confirmed the EPA has "verbally denied the request but will continue to monitor the situation."
The spokesperson said despite the agency's decision, Beshear remains committed to finding solutions to alleviate the price of gas for Kentuckians.
At the start of June, the governor announced he would freeze an upcoming 2-cent increase to the commonwealth's gas tax rate. According to the Beshear's office, this move will save Kentuckians more than $35 million.
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