The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board finalized a final-form rulemaking that amends air quality regulations related to the control of VOC emissions at gasoline dispensing facilities. The rulemaking went into effect on March 26th, 2022 and targets Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions during the following situations:
- Loading of underground gasoline storage tanks (or Stage I vapor recovery)
- Filling of motor vehicles at the pump (or Stage II vapor recovery)
- During and after decommissioning of Stage II vapor recovery equipment from gasoline dispensing pumps.
The final-form rulemaking also adds and amends definitions related to Stage I and Stage II vapor recovery systems. A copy of the final preamble and regulation
can be accessed here.
What is Stage I Vapor Recovery Systems?
“Stage I” refers to a vapor recovery system that controls the emission of gasoline vapors into the atmosphere during the transfer of gas from a gasoline tank truck to a gasoline storage tank at a Gasoline Dispensing Facility (GDF).
A properly operating Stage I vapor recovery system returns vapors to the gasoline tank truck. The equipment and controls of a Stage I system also control the emission of gasoline vapors during the storage of gasoline vapors at a GDF.
What is Stage II Vapor Recovery Systems?
“Stage II” refers to the vapor recovery system that controls the emission of vapors during the transfer of gasoline from a gasoline storage tank at a GDF to a motor vehicle fuel tank. A Stage II vapor recovery system also controls emissions into the the atmosphere of vapors during the storage of gasoline at a GDF.
Stage II vapor recovery technology uses special refueling nozzles, dispensing hoses and a system that draws refueling vapors in the Underground Storage Tank (UST). A properly operating Stage II system moves the gasoline vapors from the motor vehicle fuel tank druing the refueling of the vehicle into the UST at the GDF.
Who is Affected by This Rulemaking?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has finalized regulatory requirements for GDF owners and operators to decommission their Stage II vapor recovery system in 12 counties in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas.
The compliance date for the decommissioning of Stage II systems is December 31, 2022.
- The 12 Pennsylvania counties include: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Chester, Delaware, Fayette, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Washington, and Westmoreland.
- Owners and operators are those with gasoline throughputs that exceed at anytime >10,000 gallons per month (or 120,000 gallons per year) and independent small business marketers of gasoline that have a monthly throughput >50,000 gallons per month (or 600,000 gallons per year) in the above mentioned 12 Pennsylvania counties.
- Persons performing decommissioning procedures, leak testing, and repairs at gasoline dispensing facilities.
What Happens After Decommissioning Takes Place?
For those entities that need to decommission their Stage II vapor recovery system by December 31, 2022, a notification form needs to be completed and submitted to the appropriate DEP regional office, Allegheny County Health Department, or Philadelphia Air Management Services.
Where Can I Learn More about this Rulemaking?
Pennsylvania DEP has put together a Frequently Asked Questions on
their website for Decommissioning Stage II Vapor Recovery Systems at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities.
In addition, Pennsylvania small businesses can always contact EMAP for further information and assistance if this rulemaking may affect your small business operation. Simply call EMAP’s toll-free environmental hotline at (877) ASK-EMAP or email us at
questions@askemap.org.
