If you own or work at a facility that stores and dispenses gasoline, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is proposing rule changes that could affect you. The NYSDEC has proposed rule changes that include methods to control vapors from gasoline dispensing sites within the state.
The current regulations require facilities in the New York Metropolitan Area and lower Orange County to install and maintain Stage II Vapor Collection Systems (Stage II). After these systems showed little benefit in reducing emissions, the State can “no longer justify the cost of installing new systems or maintaining existing ones”. Based on the ineffectiveness of Stage II Vapor Collection Systems and the need to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions from the gasoline dispensing facilities, the NYSDEC is revising the 6 NYCRR Part 230 regulations.
Until 6 NYCRR Part 230 is revised by NYS DEC, the State will use discretion when enforcing Stage II Vapor Collection requirements. So long as the current directive provided by the State is followed, there will be leniency with the Stage II enforcement.
The NYSDEC revised Part 230 updates the ineffective regulation regarding Stage II recovery and adopts the federal Stage I requirements for vapor recovery systems and best management practices, submerged fill pipes, and CARB vapor recovery testing for all sites with gasoline uses of 120,000 gallons or greater per year. The NYSDEC rule change replaces gasoline cargo tank pressure test requirements with the latest federal DOT standards. Those who perform Stage I vapor recovery tests will have to have proof that they have the expertise to do such testing.
If you have any questions on how these revised regulations could affect your facility, please call Walden at (516) 624-7200. Check out our tanks page for more gasoline, diesel, or chemical bulk storage information.