NACS warns stricter standards could lead to higher fuel prices, among other consequences.

The Obama Administration has put stronger restrictions in place on smog-causing ozone production Thursday, Oct. 1.

According to USA Today, while business groups say the rules will impact jobs, environmentalists say the restrictions don’t go far enough.

The new rules would restrict ozone production to 70 parts per billion, lower than the current 75 parts per billion (ppb), but at the higher end of options considered by the Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), in December, the EPA proposed lowing the standard to a range between 65-70 ppb. The agency also solicited comments on setting the standard as low as 60 ppb. NACS submitted comments on the proposed standard in March of this year.

In its comments, NACS highlighted the potential negative consequences that would result from a more stringent ozone standard, including: The introduction of reformulated gasoline (RFG) in what are now conventional gasoline areas; more states and/or localities imposing lower Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements; and certain states retaining costly and unnecessary “Stage II” vapor recovery requirements.

The combination of these actions would lead to a balkanized fuels market and higher retail fuel prices for consumers, NACS reported.