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FRANKFORT, Ky. (KY) – Legislation seeking to halt the mandate for the sale of reformulated gasoline (RFG) in Jefferson and surrounding counties to cut down on air pollution in the Louisville area, won unanimous approval in the Kentucky Senate on Tuesday.

Senate Joint Resolution 28 is sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville. “Reformulated gas is not a new issue,” she told her colleagues while presenting the measure on the Senate floor. “In fact, it’s been a continuous source of frustration for residents living in our area of the state.”

RFG was used to help Kentucky reach attainment due to violations of the 1997 eight hour ozone ambient air quality standard.

“However,” she noted, “in 2007 the EPA redesignated the Louisville area back in attainment. Yet, our use of RFG is still required. It’s been 18 years of attainment and advancement in technology in fuels. It’s time to release Jefferson, Bullitt and Oldham counties from the increased cost of living. As recently as 2022, the Biden Administration refused to reconsider this request, so let’s hope in 2025 we can see some federal relief.”

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, came down from the podium to speak on the measure. “That reformulated gas costs a lot more if you buy it in Jefferson County, based on an antiquated 15–18-year-old finding that there was a pollution problem, that has long since been remedied and mitigated. The Biden Administration refused to consider it, even though Gov. Andy Beshear petitioned him to. I would say this would reduce the cost of gas in Jefferson County by 20 cents per gallon.”

The resolution was adopted on a 37-0 vote.

In other action, the Senate passed, 31-6, Senate Bill 19, which would require all schools to have a moment of silence or reflection at the start of each school day.

Both measures now head to the House.