
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 22, 1990                   TAG: 9006220175
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EXXON BEGINS SALE OF REFORMULATED GAS

Exxon has begun selling reduced-emissions fuels, saying it is the first oil retailer with the reformulated gasolines in the Roanoke and Lynchburg markets.

The gasolines went on sale this week at more than 20 Exxon stations in the area.

Hydrocarbons have been reduced in Exxon's supreme and plus brands but not in its regular fuels. The new gasolines are intended to help improve air quality through lower volatility or tendency to evaporate. Octane ratings remain unchanged.

Chuck Hale, spokesman for Exxon in Houston, said the gasolines exceed federal emission standards by 10 percent.

Reduced-emissions gasoline will be sold only in the summer. Hale said winter driving requires more volatile fuel. Ozone problems are also less severe in the winter.

Although reduced-emission fuel is more expensive, Hale said, Exxon's wholesale prices will remain competitive. He said he could not give figures because the price fluctuates daily according to market conditions. Prices at the pump are set by individual retailers. - Staff report

by CNB