"The Trump administration is ending summertime smog restrictions on gasoline early this year in a bid to offer relief for high prices at the pump.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a waiver on Thursday allowing for sales of gasoline with a higher evaporation potential starting on Sept. 1, rather than the middle of the month. In the summer, this is typically banned to prevent evaporation and smog formation due to the heat.
The EPA said the move would augment the nation’s gasoline supply by “hundreds of thousands” of barrels per day. Overall U.S. gas consumption was 8.9 million barrels per day on average in 2025.
The move comes as the average U.S. gas price was about $4.10 per gallon on Thursday, according to AAA."
Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill August 20, 2026.
