House Panel Approves Sale of 85-octane Fuel

PIERRE - A legislative committee has approved a bill allowing the continued sale of 85-octane gasoline in western South Dakota.

The House Commerce Committee voted unanimously to pass the measure after a compromise was reached on how the low-octane fuel would be described on a warning label placed on pumps.

A state investigation last year found some stations were selling 85-octane fuel mislabeled as higher octane gasoline. State officials then discovered that South Dakota technically prohibited the sale of 85-octane gasoline.

A state agency rule allowed the sale of 85-octane gasoline in nine western South Dakota counties until June. The Legislature is now seeking to permanently allow the sale of the low-octane fuel in those counties.

The warning label would tell customers that 85-octane gasoline might not be suitable for all engines.

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