An emergency fuel waiver has been issued for IL, WI, IN and MI to alleviate rising gas prices following the Joliet refinery shutdown due to storms

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing an emergency fuel waiver to help ease gasoline shortages in four Midwestern states following the closure of a refinery in Illinois.

Exxon Mobil shut down its Joliet refinery last month after a power outage as tornadoes and severe storms swept through the region. Power has been restored, but it can take weeks to restart a facility like Exxon Mobil’s refinery about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Chicago, which can produce about 8 million gallons (34 million liters) of gasoline and diesel fuel per day.

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In addition to Illinois, the EPA approved the waiver for Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.

Federal rules require the sale of gasoline with low Reid vapor pressure during the summer months because a higher RVP evaporates more easily and can contribute to ozone pollution and smog. That’s what’s being temporarily eliminated, along with reformulated gasoline requirements for the four states. Reformulated gasoline is blended to burn cleaner than conventional gasoline and to reduce air pollutants.

SEE MORE: Chicago-area gas prices rise at twice the national rate as Joliet refinery shutdown continues

The exemption will continue until August 20.

According to AAA, gas prices in all four states rose sharply after the storms, with prices in all states exceeding $3.45 a gallon. In Illinois, the price is about $4 a gallon, which is currently one of the highest in the country. Gas prices in California and Washington are above $4 a gallon, where higher gas prices are more common.

The EPA and the Department of Energy evaluated the situation, as required by law, and determined that granting a short-term waiver was in the best interest of the public.

EPA and DOE continue to actively monitor the fuel supply situation caused by the refinery closure and are considering additional measures to help alleviate its impact.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.