Arizona's Unique Fuel Mandate Leaves Drivers Vulnerable

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In the 1990s, Arizona adopted a Cleaner Burning Gasoline (CBG) mandate as part of its State Implementation Plan to improve air quality. This has locked the state into using a unique fuel blend that no other state requires, making Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County vulnerable to supply disruptions and price volatility. A new bill, SB 1313, aims to modernize the state's fuel regulations and provide more flexibility, but any changes must be approved by the EPA.

Why it matters

Arizona's CBG mandate has created a fragile fuel supply system that leaves the state's most populous region at the mercy of refinery outages, pipeline interruptions, and market volatility. Residents in Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County are required to use a custom, more expensive fuel blend and have limited supply options, resulting in higher prices at the pump.

The details

Arizona's fuel map is complex, with Maricopa County and the Apache Junction portion of Pinal County (Area A) required to use CBG year-round, while central and western Pinal County (Area C) only requires the special blend in the summer. Tribal lands in Pinal County face no such restrictions. The state relies on out-of-state refineries for 70% of its CBG supply, making it vulnerable to disruptions. Obtaining a waiver from the EPA to temporarily suspend the CBG requirements is extremely difficult, as the state must prove the disruption was unforeseen and that there is insufficient fuel supply.

• In the 1990s, during the Clinton Administration, Arizona adopted its Cleaner Burning Gasoline (CBG) mandate.
• On October 16, 2023, Michelle Wilson of the Arizona Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures Division testified about the state's fuel requirements during a Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on Air Quality and Energy.
• In March 2023, Arizona evaluated requesting a waiver but the EPA said the requirements were not met.
• In September 2023, Arizona was granted two waivers after multiple simultaneous disruptions.
• SB 1313 was introduced in 2026 to modernize Arizona's fuel regulations, but the changes would not take effect unless the EPA approves the SIP revision by July 1, 2028.

What they’re saying

What’s next

SB 1313, if approved, would expand the list of approved gasoline formulations, create a formal waiver request process, and require public posting of fuel formulation maps. However, none of the changes would take effect unless the EPA approves the SIP revision by July 1, 2028.