INDUSTRY NEWS: EPA and Vapor Recovery System Requirements
July 3rd, 2012 by Fiedler Group
Due to the widespread use of onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) technology throughout the motor vehicle industry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has waived the long-standing requirement for states to implement Stage II gasoline vapor recovery systems.
When a vehicle is being refueled, the gasoline which is introduced into the vehicles gas tank displaces gasoline vapors. Current vapor recovery technology captures these displaced vapors at the fueling nozzle and returns the vapors to the underground storage tank.
Where air pollution control technology is not used, these vapors are emitted into the air — which can then react with sunlight, nitrogen oxides and other volatile compounds to form ozone.
However, nearly all vehicles built after 2006 now feature onboard equipment which captures these vapors, thereby eliminating the need for vapor recovery nozzles. In fact, the EPA estimates 70 percent of vehicles now include this technology.
The White House issued a statement on this decision:
“This measure was imposed in 1990, before new vehicles were required to have built-in air pollution control technologies. Since the use of technology for modern vehicles is so widespread, EPA is finalizing a rule to eliminate the obligation for many states to require air pollution vapor recovery systems at local gas stations. The anticipated five-year savings are over $300 million.”
While this waiver may be welcomed by most of the nation, California vehicle owners will not benefit from the EPA action. California Air Resources Board (CARB), Executive Officer James Goldstene commented on this action, saying:
“our critical need for reduction of smog-forming emissions and our responsibility for public health protection from exposure to air toxics make it very unlikely that we could contemplate any substantive change to our vapor recovery program in the near future.”
In his response to the EPA’s proposed rule, Goldestene cited data to suggest that “in 2020, when six percent of gasoline is still dispensed to non-ORVR vehicles, EVR Phase ll will provide ROG emission reductions of approximately 15 tons per day.”
He further stated that projections as far out as 2028 indicate that two percent of all gasoline will still be dispensed to non-ORVR vehicles which will result in approximately nine tons of emission per day if Phase II vapor requirements were not in place.
Goldestene continued, “we estimate that our EVR Phase II program, in its current form will continue to provide significant statewide emission reductions in future years well beyond the U.S. EPA’s stated determination.”
Fiedler Group is a leader in fuel system design, with 55 years experience addressing California Air Quality and California Water Resources Board compliance fuel system regulations.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your project.
