United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX

Air & Toxics Division

Technical Support Document

for

EPA’s Notice of Direct Final Rulemaking

for the

Arizona State Implementation Plan

Arizona Department of Weights and Measures

Arizona Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 31, Article 9

Gasoline Vapor Control

Mae Wang

July 21, 1994
Applicable Rule Number: no applicable SIP rule

Sip

Background:

The EPA made a finding of nonsubmittal on January 15, 1993 for stage II vapor recovery rules from the Phoenix (Maricopa County) non-attainment area. This submittal stops the 18month sanctions clock associated with that finding, and must be approved by EPA within 24

months of the finding in order to avoid imposition of a Federal Implementation Plan.

Section 1 82(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, requires gasoline dispensing facilities located in nonattainment areas designated as moderate or worse to install and operate

stage II vapor recovery equipment. The State of Arizona has included this requirement into

the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), section 41-21 32, and it applies to the Phoenix

nonattainment area. Article 9 of the AAC sets out the standards for any required stage II

systems.

Summary of Rule:

The Article 9 regulation controls the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the transfer of gasoline into motor vehicle fuel tanks. The rules require use of CARB

certified stage II systems, and inspection and maintenance of equipment. The following are the major provisions of the regulation:

- Prior to installation, modification or initial operation, a construction plan for stage II vapor

recovery systems must be submitted for approval.

- Initial compliance tests and inspections must be performed.

- The stage 11 systems and components must be operated and maintained in a vapor-tight and leak-free condition.

- The systems and components must be inspected daily for defects, and daily records of

inspections are to be kept.

Rule Evaluation and Proposed Action:

This rule was evaluated against the EPA draft model rule for Stage 11 vapor recovery, and various guidance documents including the document entitled “Issues Relating to VOC

Arizona Stage 11 2
Appendix D/RACT Deficiencies

No Appendix D/RACT Deficiencies are noted.

Other Areas

The following issues are not considered significant enough to affect the approvability of this regulation, hut they should be addressed in the next rule revision.a) The regulation could be strengthened if the term “monthly throughput’ was defined

on a 30-day rolling average rather than on a calendar month period.

b) Although the terms “liquid-tight” and “vapor-tight” are defined, the term “leak-free”

is used in section R4-31-906.B. The regulation could be clarified if “leak-free” were defined

in reference to “liquid-tight” and “vapor-tight”.

2. Net Effect on Emissions

Although there have been emergency stage II rules in effect in Arizona, the incorporation of this regulation into the SIP will decrease emissions based on the current SIP since there is no

existing SIP rule for this category.3. Proposed Action

EPA is proposing to approve AAC Title 4, Chapter 31, Article 9.

Attachments:

1. Article 9, Gasoline Vapor Control.

2. Arizona Revised Statutes relating to stage II vapor control.

3. EPA comment letter, dated October 28, 1992.

4. EPA comment letter, dated May 5, 1993.

Arizona Stage II 3