City Of El Paso Taking Steps To Reduce Smog

As summer approaches, the City of El Paso is taking steps to reduce smog. It’s not something new, but gas stations in the Sun City will switch to a different type of gasoline from June 1st to September 15th.

The gasoline in question is less volatile, meaning it won’t vaporize as easily in air, and that means lower smog emissions that can cause respiratory problems.

“In the El Paso County region, during the summer months…starting June 1st through September 15th, state law requires that the vapor pressure in gasoline be at a certain level,” says Miguel Parra, engineering division manager with the City of El Paso’s Environmental Services department.

A lower vapor pressure means the gasoline won’t vaporize as easily. “It’s just the formulation that’s done at the refineries…it’s the specific manufacturing process in which they reduce the vapor pressure of the fuel,” says Parra.

By fueling your vehicle early in the morning or evening, any gasoline vapors that escape from the pump won’t have as much luck reacting with the cooler temperatures, which means less smog.