Agenda Date: February 21, 2013

Prepared By: Don Duffy, Associate Air Pollution Control Engineer

Topic: Amendment of Rule 213, Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage 

Containers

Action Requested:

1) Conduct a Public Hearing regarding the proposed amendment of Rule 213, Gasoline 

Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers.

2) Adopt Resolution #13-01 (Attachment #1), thereby approving amendments to Rule 213, 

Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers, and approve and adopt the 

Recommendations found in this document and the Findings in the Staff Report of 

Attachment #2.

Discussion: Rule 213, Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers, is the District rule 

that applies to the transfer of gasoline into stationary storage containers (the gasoline tanks at 

service stations and commonly referred to as Phase I equipment). The primary purpose of 

this rule is to require Phase I equipment to be California Air Resources Board (CARB) 

certified. Certified means that the specific equipment from each supplier has been 

extensively tested by CARB and verified to meet the design and emissions standards 

promulgated in CARB’s certification specifications.

CARB has promulgated a new class of certified equipment called Standing Loss Vapor 

Recovery Control (SLC) which is not considered either Phase I nor Phase II and only applies

to aboveground storage tanks. The SLC regulation requires the use of specific white, sun 

reflective paint on the external surface of the tank and the use of specific pressure/vacuum 

relief (P/V) valves. The purpose of this regulation is to reduce the venting of gasoline vapors 

from aboveground tanks due to heating by the sun which evaporates gasoline inside the tanks 

which is then released to the atmosphere through the P/V valve. Current District rules do not 

mention this SLC class of regulation. This amendment of Rule 213 adds the SLC

requirements.

This proposed amendment contains an exemption from the paint requirement of SLC for 

large vertical tanks over 15,000 gallons in capacity that use thermal oxidizers for internal 

pressure control. When a thermal oxidizer is utilized it burns off excess gasoline vapors that 

would otherwise vent through the P/V valve directly to the atmosphere which eliminates the 

need for the reflective paint to reduce venting. This exemption applies to three existing 

facilities in the District. Two of these facilities have two gasoline tanks each, while the third 

facility employs three of these tanks. Two facilities have the tanks painted white, but not with 

the certified type of paint. The third facility has the three tanks painted white, but each has a 

mural painted on the sides, so the tanks are not entirely white. Most of the aboveground tanks 

Board Agenda Item

Public Hearing/Action
PCAPCD Agenda Item

February 21, 2013

Page 2

permitted in the District are small; 1,000 gallons capacity or less. Most of these tanks as 

manufactured are already certified for the paint. 

In addition to the SLC provisions, the format of the rule is modified to be consistent with the 

current District format for rules. Some definitions, references, and wording are updated without 

altering the original meaning. A definition for CARB CERTIFIED has been added.

Fiscal Impact: The amendment of Rule 213 will have a fiscal impact on aboveground tank GDF 

permit holders as compared with business under the current rule. The rule amendment adds 

the SLC requirement on aboveground tank systems. This modification of existing tanks is 

required according to the CARB timeline of April 1, 2013. However, SLC compatibility 

would eventually be required under District rules when the Phase I EVR upgrade to existing 

aboveground tanks is required by the CARB timeline of July 1, 2014. The Executive Orders

for Phase I EVR equipment all require that SLC is installed. The addition of SLC to Rule 213 

accelerates the deadline by 15 months.

The cost of complying with the SLC requirement is estimated at $500 if the PV valve is not 

already installed and $1,000 if the tank needs to be painted with a compliant white paint. This 

would apply to tanks up to 1,000 gallons in size.

The exemption from painting large vertical tanks would save owners/operators of those tanks 

tens of thousands of dollars.

Recommendation: Staff recommends adoption of Resolution #13-01, thereby approving

amended Rule 213, Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers

Attachments #1: Resolution #13-01, Adoption of amended Rule 213, Gasoline Transfer into 

Stationary Storage Containers

#2: Staff Report
ATTACHMENT #1

Subject:

Resolution #13-01 

Approval of amended Rule 213, Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers
EXHIBIT #1

Subject:

Rule 213, Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers
ATTACHMENT #2

Subject:

Staff Report, Amendment of Rule 213 
ATTACHMENT TO STAFF REPORT

Subject:

Rule 213, Gasoline Transfer into Stationary Storage Containers (Strikeout Version)