EPA proposes revising compliance provisions of 2024 gasoline distribution air toxics rule
- Pre-2024 major-source tank vapor limits would apply across rules
- Agency estimates annual savings of $713,400 or $565,800
- Comments due by Nov 12
WASHINGTON, Sept 28 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday proposed revising parts of its May 2024 rule for gasoline distribution facilities and bulk gasoline terminals. The agency said the changes would not affect the stringency of the rule's emission standards.
The EPA estimated that the proposed changes would save area source facilities a total average of $713,400 or $565,800 a year in compliance costs, in 2024 dollars. The figure depends on which of 2 monitoring options for thermal oxidation systems the agency finalizes.
Under the proposal, vapor tightness standards for gasoline cargo tanks in all gasoline distribution rules would be revised to graduated limits of 1.0 to 2.5 inches of water column. Those limits were set in the major-source rule (NESHAP subpart R) before the 2024 rule. The EPA said the 2024 standards "are not achievable in practice nationwide and are likely not cost-effective."
The proposal would also lengthen the averaging period for vapor recovery system emission limits from a 3-hour to a 6-hour rolling average. It would add a capital expenditure threshold so that small process improvement projects would not trigger the new source standards.
The EPA said it was not proposing to change the annual instrument monitoring requirements for bulk gasoline plants and pipeline pumping stations.
According to the proposal, about 9,500 facilities are subject to the rules. The EPA said it expects the changes to have no impact on air quality or overall human health.
Comments are due by Nov 12. The EPA said it will hold a virtual public hearing if anyone requests one on or before Oct 5.
The International Liquid Terminals Association filed 2 petitions for reconsideration in 2024, and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and the American Petroleum Institute filed a joint petition. On Feb 28, 2025, the EPA granted reconsideration on one issue, the modification criteria for equipment leak requirements under the new source standards. The agency said it was still reviewing the other issues raised in the petitions.