April 11 2008 (Mark Morgan PMAA) -- NEW FEDERAL VAPOR EMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR GASOLINE
DISPENSING FACILITIES, BULK PLANTS AND LOADING RACKS
BACKGROUND: The U.S. EPA issued a final rulemaking in January that requires installation of
Stage I vapor balancing equipment at gasoline dispensing facilities with certain throughput
thresholds for gasoline. The rule also requires vapor control methods for bulk plants and loading
racks. The final rule can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/area/arearules.html Scroll down
to Rules/Notices, Download January 10, 2008 PDF document.
This Compliance Bulletin covers bulk plants and loading racks with daily gasoline throughput of
20,000 gallons or less and all gasoline stations. This Stage I rule does not apply to tanks under
250 gallons capacity. If your daily throughput of gasoline at bulk plant and loading rack is greater
than 20,000 gallons please refer to the final rule at the link above for further compliance
information.
Petroleum Marketers are strongly urged to contact a Stage I vendor or professional engineer to
assist in the implementation of the technical requirements of this rule.
Petroleum marketers whose facilities were built after November 9, 2006 and which meet gasoline
throughput thresholds should focus on immediate compliance. Petroleum marketers whose
facilities were built on or before November 9, 2006 and which meet gasoline throughput
thresholds should focus on submitting either the Initial Notification form or Notification of
Compliance Status form by 5/09/08. In most cases, compliance with the technical aspects of the
Stage 1 rule for these facilities are not required until January 10, 2011.
COMPLIANCE DATES: Gasoline stations, bulk plants and loading racks commencing
construction after November 9, 2006 must meet the new vapor emission requirements at start-up
or by January 10, 2008, whichever is later. Gasoline stations, bulk plants and loading racks
existing on or before November 9, 2006 must comply with the new vapor balancing requirements
by January 10, 2011. Submission of Initial Notification forms for applicable gasoline stations, bulk
plants and loading racks must be submitted to state and federal regulatory authorities by
05/09/08.