EPA Drops Reformulated Gasoline Mandate for Louisville Metro

Move expected to lower gas prices in the region by 10-25 cents per gallon.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The EPA has approved Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's request to remove the Louisville metropolitan area from the federal Reformulated Gasoline Program, a move that is expected to lower gas prices in the region by 10 to 25 cents per gallon. The mandate has been in place since 1995 as an air quality control measure, but the governor argued that emissions have continuously declined in the area since it met ozone standards 18 years ago.

Why it matters

The removal of the reformulated gasoline mandate is expected to provide much-needed financial relief for Kentucky families struggling with high costs for essentials like groceries and rent. The governor framed this as an important step in delivering cost savings to consumers at a time of economic strain.

The details

Kentucky opted into the Reformulated Gasoline Program in 1995, and the Louisville metro area was later redesignated in 2007. The governor submitted a request to the EPA in February 2025 to have the area removed from the mandate, citing the region's improved air quality over the past two decades. The EPA has now approved this request, which will lift the requirement for reformulated gasoline in Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham counties effective May 27th.

  • Kentucky opted into the Reformulated Gasoline Program on January 1, 1995.
  • The Louisville metro area was redesignated under the program in July 2007.
  • Governor Beshear submitted the request to the EPA in February 2025.
  • The EPA approved the request on February 26, 2026.
  • The change will take effect on May 27, 2026.

The players

Andy Beshear

The Governor of Kentucky who requested the Louisville metro area be removed from the federal Reformulated Gasoline Program.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that oversees the Reformulated Gasoline Program and approved Kentucky's request to remove the Louisville metro area from the mandate.

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What they’re saying

“At a time when costs are too high for Americans, I am proud that we are able to deliver some relief for Kentuckians by having the RFG mandate removed for Louisville. Reformulated gas was costing Kentuckians 10 to 25 cents more per gallon, which now can go toward groceries, rent and other things that matter to our families.”

— Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky (wxbc1043.com)

What’s next

The change in the Reformulated Gasoline Program mandate for the Louisville metro area will take effect on May 27, 2026.

The takeaway

The removal of the reformulated gasoline requirement in the Louisville region is expected to provide much-needed financial relief for Kentucky families by lowering gas prices by 10 to 25 cents per gallon. This change reflects the area's improved air quality over the past two decades and demonstrates the state government's efforts to deliver cost savings to consumers during a period of economic strain.