Butler County consumers could wind up paying less for gasoline if the Environmental Quality Board gets its way with a proposed change to the rules regarding vapor pressure in gasoline.

The board is working to remove requirements for gasoline in the Reid Vapor Pressure index of 7.8 pounds per square inch or less to be sold or transferred within the Butler County region between May 1 and Sept. 15 of each year.

Gasoline vapors include volatile compounds in emissions, which are a precursor to the formation of ground-level pollution — and cutting down on those vapors would help protect health and public welfare.

The switch to year-round higher Reid Vapor Pressure, or RVP, gasoline would not only lower costs at the pump for consumers but could increase profits for gas station owners, according to Jim Garrity, public and community relations manager for AAA in Pittsburgh.

“Lower RVP gasoline is more expensive to produce, which means it’s more expensive for gas station owners to purchase,” Garrity said. “Given that higher RVP gasoline is cheaper to produce, it could be sold at lower costs.

“That means gas station owners would save money by not having to buy more expensive gas. That being said, demand will always be a factor in the fluctuation of gasoline prices, and heavy travel seasons — such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving — will always have an impact on gasoline prices.”

Garrity said consumers would likely benefit from the year-round switch to higher RVP gasoline even though prices may fluctuate with demand.

“Gas station owners could see an increase in profits because they wouldn’t have to spend as much to purchase the gasoline,” Garrity said.

No decision has been made on the proposed rule change, according to Lauren Fraley, community relations coordinator for Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection. The public comment period closed on May 1 and the department will review the comments received.

The final proposal goes to the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee, Small Business Advisory Committee and Citizens Advisory Committee before heading to the Environmental Quality Board.

There is no timetable available for the process, which allows the Legislature to weigh in.