Refineries Let Off the Hook in Face of Sandy - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

WASHINGTON - With key East Coast refineries that were in the path of Hurricane Sandy now shut down, the Environmental Protection Agency approved temporary fuel waivers to assist states impacted by the super storm.

In New Jersey, there were long lines Wednesday at the few gas stations that were open. Already wholesale gas has risen three cents, with the national average sitting at $2.64. Crude oil is up 14 cents at nearly $86 a barrel.

EPA has exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to temporarily waive certain federal clean gasoline requirements for gasoline sold and distributed in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, District of Columbia, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. 

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson determined that, as a result of effects of Hurricane Sandy, extreme and unusual supply circumstances exist, which may result in a temporary shortage of gasoline compliant with federal regulations. The federal waiver will help ensure an adequate supply of fuels in the impacted states.

The waiver allows the sale and distribution of conventional gasoline in a number of Eastern states that are required to use reformulated gasoline, and allows a number of additional states to mix reformulated gasoline and conventional gasoline to remove potential barriers to the supply of gasoline to the region.