Executive Summary

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) analyzed different types of gas station fueling equipment to help with future updates to PSCAA gas station regulations.

PSCAA proposes setting refueling vapor recovery requirements based on the amount of gasoline a station pumps each year. The proposal would reduce emission control requirements at smaller stations, maintain existing requirements at medium-sized stations, and require additional control equipment at large gas stations. PSCAA proposes continued testing of gas stations, with some reduction in the number of tests for small to medium-sized gas stations.

PSCAA will engage with station owners, gas station testers/installers, and the public to collect feedback on these recommendations.

Why did PSCAA complete this analysis?

When cars refuel at a gas station, gasoline vapors can escape into the air. Gasoline vapors contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and air toxics, including benzene. VOCs can react with nitrogen oxides and sunlight to make ozone, which is a nationally regulated pollutant that can harm human health. Benzene is known to increase risk of cancer. PSCAA regulates gas stations to reduce emissions of gasoline vapors from gas station operations.

Gasoline vapors from refueling can be controlled in two ways: Stage 2 Vapor Recovery (VRS) and Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR). Stage 2 Vapor Recovery is installed on the gas station equipment and includes specialized nozzles and hoses. ORVR is a canister in a vehicle that keeps vapors inside a vehicle’s tank. PSCAA regulates Stage 2 VRS but does not regulate ORVR. The number of cars in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties with ORVR has been increasing since PSCAA last reviewed gas station regulations. Now that many cars have ORVR, PSCAA analyzed benefits and disbenefits of changes to Stage 2 VRS requirements.

What is PSCAA proposing?

• Continue using Stage 2 VRS for benzene control:  Stage 2 VRS reduces benzene emissions from refueling and spills, which is protective of the health for people living close to gas stations.
• Set control equipment requirements based on throughput: Stations pumping more gasoline require more control equipment to reduce gasoline vapor emissions. Modeled benzene concentrations informed the control equipment recommended for a given amount of gasoline pumped at a station.

Who might be impacted by the proposed changes?

• Gas Station Owners and Operators
  • The recommendations would allow more stations to use conventional equipment without Stage 2 VRS; stations with up to 500,000 gallons of gasoline pumped per year would be able to use conventional equipment, while the current limit for use of conventional equipment is 200,000 gallons per year.
  • The recommendations would allow stations with 500,000-700,000 gallons of gasoline pumped per year to use enhanced conventional equipment. Stations in this category currently must use Stage 2 VRS.  
  • Larger stations pumping 1,000,000 or more gallons per year would be required to add more control equipment onto their Stage 2 VRS.
  • Changes to equipment requirements could impact ongoing testing costs.
• Gas Station Testers and Installers may experience changes in the number of stations requesting ongoing gas station maintenance and testing resulting from equipment changes. PSCAA regulations currently require certified professionals to conduct installations and certain semiannual tests on gas station control equipment.
• People who live, work, study, or play near a gas station would be affected. The recommendations are intended to keep benzene levels at or below acceptable amounts in WA and PSCAA rules for air permitting.
• People who fuel vehicles in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties may have changes to gasoline vapor exposure while filling cars/trucks and have changes in gasoline cost. Gas station emission control equipment requirements are just one of many factors affecting an individual’s gasoline vapor exposure and gasoline costs.

What are next steps?

PSCAA will be asking station owners, testers and installers, and the public for feedback on the recommendations. PSCAA will share surveys with station owners, testers, and installers. PSCAA will hold virtual meetings with station owners and with testers and installers. Meetings will be open to the public for listening.

We seek to learn:

• Feedback about accuracy of cost estimates for control equipment.
• Feedback about implementation timelines.
• Station owner and tester experiences with ongoing testing and maintenance requirements, including common issues found.
• Voluntary demographic data about station ownership.
• Station owner feedback about usability of gas station rules.