06-096 

'- u DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRO'rECTION 

Chapter 111: PETROLEUM LIQUID STORAGE VAPOR CONTROL 

1. Scope 

SUMMARY: This regulation requires all owners of fixed roof storage tanks, 

storing gasoline, crude oil or any petroleum liquid whose vapor pressure is 

greater than 1.52 psia (10.5 kilo pascals) to install floating roofs to reduce the 

hydrocarbon vapors lost to the atmosphere. This regulation prohibits the 

emptying and degassing of petroleum storage vessels for the purpose of 

performing a complete inspection on days for which the Department has issued 

an ozone health ·advisory beginning January 1, 2000 and between June 1 and 

August 31 each year beginning January 1, 2004. A complete inspection shall be 

performed at least once every ten ( 1 0) years and each time the vessel is emptied 

and degassed. 

A. This regulation applies in all ambient air quality regions of the State of Maine. 

B. This regulation applies to all fixed roof storage vessels with capacities greater than 150,000 liters 

(39,000 gallons) containing volatile petroleum liquids whose true vapor pressure is greater than 

10.5 kilo pascals (1.52 psia) or a Reid vapor pressure of 4 psi. Such fixed roof storage vessels 

are subject to New Source Performance Standards as of the dates specified in and in accordance 

with the requirements contained in 40 CFR, Part 60, Subparts K, Ka, and Kb. 

C. Section 5(B) of this regulation shall apply to all fixed roof storage vessels with capacities greater 

than 150,000 liters (39,000 gallons) containing volatile petroleum liquids whose true vapor 

pressure is greater than 1.0 psia but less than 1.52 psia. 

2. Prohibition 

A. No owner or operator of a fixed roof storage vessel shall permit or suffer the use of such vessels 

unless: 

( 1) The vessels have been retrofitted with an internal floating roof equipped with a closure s.eal, 

or seals, to reduce the visual space between the roof edge and tank wall; or the vessels have been 

retrofitted with equally effective alternative control as approved by the Commissioner and th~ 

United States Environmental Protection Agency; 

(2) The vessel is maintained such that there are no visible holes, tears, or other openings in the 

seal or any seal fabric or materials; 

(3) All openings except stub drains are equipped with covers, lids, or seals such that: , I 

(a? the co~er, lid, o.r seal is in the closed position at all times except when in actual use; 

(b) automatic bleeder vents are closed at all times except when the roof is being floated off 

or being landed on the roof leg supports: and 

(C) rim vents. if provided. are set to open only when the roof is being floated off the roof leg 

supports or at the manufacturer's recommended setting; 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

( 4) Routine visual inspections are conducted thr<;>ugh roof hatches once every month; and 

(5) A complete inspection of cover and seal is performed at least once every ten (l 0) years and 

each time the vessel is emptied and degassed. These inspections shall be conducted by visually 

inspecting the floating roof deck, deck fittings, and rim seals from within the storage vessel. The 

inspection may be performed entirely from the top side of the floating roof, as long as there is 

visual access to all deck components. 

B. Between January 1, 2000 and December 31,2003, the Department shall be notified seventy-two 

(72) hours in advance of plans to empty and degas any storage vessel, and no owner or operator of 

any fixed roof storage vessel shall empty and degas any storage vessel for the purpose of performing 

a complete inspection on those days for which the Department has issued an ozone health warning 

pursuant to 38 MRSA §584-F. 

C. Beginning January 1, 2004, no owner or operator of any fixed roof storage vessel shall empty and 

degas any storage vessel for the purpose of performing a complete inspection between June 1 and 

August 31 of each calendar year. 

D. Notwithstanding subsections (2)(B) and (2)(C) of this Chapter, an owner or operator may empty 

and degas a fixed roof storage vessel for the purpose of performing a repair which is immediately 

necessary for the proper function of the vessel. An owner or operator must notify the Department 

within 24 hours if a fixed roof storage vessel is emptied and degassed under this section. 

3. Emission Testing. The determination of compliance under this section may be made by visual 

inspection of the floating cover through the roof hatches by Department staff or other qualified 

representatives of the Department. The source shall be found in compliance if: 

A. The seal has no visible holes, tears, or other openings and is uniformly in place around the 

circumference of the cover between the cover and tank well; 

B. The cover is uniformly floating on or above the liquid and there are no visible holes, tears, or 

other openings in the surface of the cover and no liquid is accumulated on the cover; and 

C. All records are being pr?perly maintained. 

4. Transition Schedule. The owner or operator of fixed-roof petroleum storage vessels located in Air 

Quality Control Regions III, IV and V shall have until July 1, 1991, to comply with the requirements 

under subsection (2)(A). In Air Quality Control Regions ill, IV and V, the owner or operator of a 

fixed-roof petroleum storage vessel without a floating roof or other acceptable volatile organic 

comp~und emission control equipment shall adhere to the increments of progress contained in the 

following schedule .. and shall report to the department within 15 days of the prescribed deadline the 

status of cbmpliance with each increment of progress. 

A. Final plans for the floating roof. other necessary modifications or other acceptable volatile 

organic compound emission control equipment shall be submitted before November 1. 1989. 

Chapter Ill: Petroleum Liquid Storage Vapor Control 

- 2 -
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

B. Contracts for installation of the floating roof, other modifications or other acceptable volatile 

organic compound emission control equipment or purchase orders for component parts shall be 

issued before March 1, 1990. 

C. Initiation of on-site construction or installation of acceptable volatile organic compound emission 

control equipment shall begin before July 1, 1990. 

D. Final compliance shall be achieved before July 1, 1991. 

5. Records 

A. The owner or operator of a fixed roof storage vessel governed by this regulation shall assure the 

following records are maintained for a minimum of two years. These records shall be available 

for inspection during normal business hours and copies shall be provided to the Commissioner or 

his representative upon request: 

( 1) Reports of the results of inspections conducted under subsections (2)(A)( 4) and (2)(A)(5); 

(2) A record of the monthly throughput quantities and types of volatile petroleum liquids for 

each storage vessel and period of storage; and 

(3) Records of the average monthly storage temperatures and true vapor pressures of volatile 

petroleum liquids stored. 

B. The owner or operator of a fixed roof storage vessel with capacity greater than 150,000 liters 

(39,000 gallons) containing volatile petroleum liquids whose true vapor pressure is greater than 

1.0 psia but less than 1.52 psia. shall assure the following records are maintained for a minimum 

of two years. These records shall be available for inspection during normal business hours and 

copies shall be provided to the Commissioner or his representative upon request: 

( 1) Records of the average monthly storage temperatures, the type of petroleum liquid, and 

maximum true vapor pressures of volatile petroleum liquids stored. 

-.· 

AUTHORITY: 38 M.R.S.A., Section 585, 585-A 

EFFECTNE DATE: May 7, 1979 

Amended: September 21, 1988 

Amended: October 3, 1989 

Amended: November 3, 1990 

Amended: 5' e_/'Te.A-t 6 P r d. '71 I 'l '1 '/ 

BASIS STATEMENT 

Chapter Ill: Petroleum Liquid Storage Vapor Control 

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06-096 

~ D~ARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

Gasoline is a hydrocarbon vapor that aids the formation of ozone in the atmosphere. It is necessary to 

control such liydrocarbon vapors present in the atmosphere because Maine is violating the federal ozone 

ambient air quality standard. This regulation controls the maximum amount of gasoline emissions so to 

reduce the ozone formed. 

BASIS STATEMENT FOR AMENDMENT OF AUGUST 10,1988 

This amendment expanded the scope of the regulation to include all Ambient Air Quality Control 

Regions in the State. Uncontrolled gasoline storage terminals in the Downeast and Central Maine 

Ambient Air Quality Control Regions have been estimated as emitting over 800 tons of hydrocarbons 

annually. The use of floating roofs and vapor control systems (Chapters Ill and 112) for bulk gasoline 

terminals is considered Best Practical Treatment and will reduce emissions by about 94 percent. 

BASIS STATEMENT FOR AMENDMENT OF SEPTEMBER 27, 1989 

This amendment corrected certain minor deficiencies identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency in the State Implementation Plan and for consistency with State statute. The U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency also commented on requiring facilities which store more than 39,000 gallons of 

petroleum products with a true vapor pressure greater than 1.0 psi to maintain records of the average 

. monthly temperature and the maximum true vapor pressure. The Department agrees with the comment. 

This will enable the Department to determine if storage tanks storing liquids with vapor pressure close to 

1.52 psi are subject to the regulation. 

BASIS STATEMENT FOR AMENDMENT OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1990 

During the !14th Session of the Maine Legislature, the Board of Environmental Protection was given the 

authority under 38 M.R.S.A. 585 and 585-A to establish and amend emission standards and regulations to 

implement ambient air quality standards and emission standards. This rule was amended to reflect the 

new authority under statute. No request for public hearing nor comments were received on the 

reauthorization. 

BASIS STATEMENT FOR AMENDMENT OF AUGUST 19, 1999 

This amendment decreases the petroleum storage vessel inspection frequency requirement from annually 

to every ten years as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, thereby reducing the overall 

volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from this activity. In addition to reducing the inspection 

frequency requirement, the rule was also amended to prohibit the emptying and degassing of petroleum 

storage vessels for the purpose of performing a complete inspection on days for which the Department 

has issued an ozone health advisory between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2003 and between June 

1 and August 31 each year beginning January 1, 2004. 

In addition to th~ Basis Statement above, the Department has filed with the Secretary of State response to 

representativ~. commerrts received during the comment period. 

Chapter Ill: Petroleum Liquid Storage Vapor Comrol 
A PT;:D FOR 

FlUNG 

TO: 

ATTN: Administrative 

Secretary 

State House 

Procedure 

of State 

Station 

Officer 

329 ~~~J I 

Augusta, Maine 04333 

l. AGENCY: Department of Environmental Protection 

2. AGENCY UMBRELLA AND UNIT#: 06-096 

3. TITLE OF RULE(S): Petroleum Liquid Storage Vapor Control 

4. CHAPTER NUMBER ASSIGNED TO THE RULE(S): Chapter 111 

5. DATE(S)/METHOD(S) OF NOTICE: On July 23, 1998 in the Kennebec 

Journal and on August 5, 1998, December 30, 1998 and March 31, 1999 in the 

Kennebec Journal, Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, Lewiston SunJournal, and Waterville Morning Sentinel. 

Based on comments received at the hearing, a substantial change was made to the rule. 

Therefore, an additional comment period of 30 days was required: 12/30/98-2/2/99. At 

the Board's March 10, 1999 meeting a substantial change was made and an additional 

comment period was required: 3/31199-4/30/99 

6. DATE(S)/PLACE(S) OF HEARINGS(S): August 26, 1998 1:30 P.M. 

7. 

8. 

TYPE OF RULE: 

Holiday Inn/Ground Round 

Augusta, Maine. 

D New Rule • Amendment of Existing Rule 

D Emergency Rule D Repeal of Existing rule 

D Suspension of Existing Rule 

NAME/PHONE OF AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: 

207-287-2437. 

Carolyn Wheeler at 

9. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT: I. Martha Kirkpatrick. hereby certify that 

the attached is a true copv of the rule described above and lawfullv adopted bv the Board 

of Environmental Protection on Aue:ust 19. 1999. 

SIGN A JURE:_· ___.__~~- __,_, ·c:....::J..C-""-1'=~:::__~ _()z ______ -hrfhLL..!..--------

PRINTED !\AME & TITLE: Martha Kirkoarrick. Commissioner 

lO. APPROVED as ro for 9/23/99 

PRINTED I'-i AME: ___ Th_o_rna_s_A_. _P_.a_.rY'_:t_e_:-_, _' _P·_-._A_. G_, _· -----------