Air Board May Weigh Lowering Sulfur Content in Gasoline

The California Air Resources Board may consider lowering the amount of sulfur allowed in the state’s gasoline so autos can more effectively cut smog-producing emissions.

The board’s staff has drafted a preliminary proposal to lower the amount of sulfur allowed in gas from a maximum of 80 parts per million for any single batch to a maximum of 20 ppm to 30 ppm, according to documents released Monday.

The amount of sulfur allowed in gas at the pump in California now is 30 ppm on average over six months--not as a per batch maximum. That average would also be reduced, although the preliminary draft proposal did not indicate by exactly how much.

The California Air Resources Board was to hold a public workshop Wednesday to hear the views of engineers for auto makers, environmentalists and others. Its final proposal is expected by late October and, if adopted, would be phased in for gasoline in 2003 or 2004, said a spokesman for the agency, Allan Hirsch.

Domestic auto makers have been pushing for lower sulfur gasoline, arguing that cars need it to allow their catalytic converters to effectively cut hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions.