LANSING — Gas pumps across Southeast Michigan are shifting gears as part of a seasonal effort to cut smog and keep the air breathable.
Starting June 1, stations must switch to a cleaner-burning summer gasoline.
The change lines up with federal air quality rules set by the EPA. These standards target pollutants like ground-level ozone and fine particulates. In response, Michigan requires gas stations in counties like Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw to sell a summer blend with lower vapor pressure until mid-September.
Craig VanBuren, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Laboratory and Consumer Protection Bureau, said, “Summer formula gasoline increases fuel efficiency and helps prevent the release of smog-causing compounds into the atmosphere. By enforcing a maximum RVP of 7.0 psi for gasoline during the summer months, the department protects Michigan’s air quality and helps our fellow Michiganders breathe a little easier.”
The seasonal fuel rule is just one piece of a broader push. Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan sets a statewide goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 — and reducing transportation emissions is a major part of that equation.
The cleaner gas is already ordered and on its way — ready to hit the pumps June 1 and stay in place through September 15.