Gas Station Owners and Operators Rulemaking

PSCAA is considering the proposed changes described on this page. The current rules are still in effect. Information about the existing rules can be found under our Gas Station FAQs.

Gas Station Refueling Equipment Review: 

Summary for Station Owners & Employees

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.

These are proposed changes to PSCAA rules. Until a new rule is effective, please continue to comply with the existing PSCAA regulations in Regulation II 2.07 and Regulation I 6.03(b).

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.
Existing Requirements

Proposed Requirements
Equipment
Gallons of Gasoline/Year
EquipmentGallons of Gasoline/Year
Conventional0-200,000
Conventional0-500,000
EVR no Vapor Processor>200,000 – 6,000,000+
Enhanced Conventional>500,000-700,000
EVR with Vapor ProcessorCase by case permitting 6,000,000+
EVR no Vapor Processor>700,000-1,000,000



EVR with Vapor Processor>1,000,000+


  • Continue testing to ensure proper operation of emission control equipment. No changes to installation testing are proposed:
Existing Ongoing Testing Requirements

Proposed Ongoing Testing Requirements
Gallons of Gasoline/Year
Testing Required
Gallons of Gasoline/YearTesting Required
0-200,000No ongoing testing
0-200,000No ongoing testing
>200,000
  • Annual: Dynamic Back Pressure, Static Torque of Adaptors, Tank Tie (if reconfigured), Air to Liquid (Vac Assist only)
  • Semiannual: Pressure Decay

>200,000 – ≤700,000
  • Semiannual pressure decay tests 
  • Annual static torque of adaptors tests




>700,000
  • Annual: Dynamic Back Pressure, Static Torque of Adaptors, Tank Tie (if reconfigured), Air to Liquid (Vac Assist only)
  • Semiannual: Pressure Decay

How might my station be impacted by the proposal?

The impact to your station would depend on the size and throughput of the station.

  • If you operate a station with less than 200,000 gallons/year, your hardware requirements would not change. Your testing/maintenance requirements are not anticipated to change.
  • If you operate a station with 200,000 -500,000 gallons/year, you could switch your fueling system from a Stage 2 VRS system to a conventional system. PSCAA anticipates continuing requirements for ongoing testing of your system for leaks.
  • If you operate a station with 500,000-700,000 gallons per year, you could switch from Stage 2 VRS systems to systems with enhanced conventional nozzles, though ongoing testing of your system for leaks is anticipated to continue.
  • If you operate a station with 700,000 – 1,000,000 gallons per year, there are no recommended changes to existing requirements.
  • If you operate a station above 1,000,000 gallons per year the recommendation would require you to install a vapor processor in addition to Stage 2 EVR equipment, without anticipated changes to requirements for testing and maintenance.
  • Stations with ORVR-incompatible vacuum assist systems would need to replace their system with the hardware required above based on throughput. 
  • The proposed timeline for completing changes to equipment is within 3 years of the promulgation of the rule.

How can I provide feedback to PSCAA about the recommendations?

You can complete our online survey. Links to the survey will be sent by email and postcard to each gas station registered in PSCAA’s four counties. You can also participate in online open house sessions to talk about the proposed changes with station owners and employees. Information about the online open house sessions will be shared once dates are selected.

 What questions does PSCAA have for station owners?

  • Are PSCAA’s cost estimates for equipment accurate? What equipment and maintenance costs can you provide?
  • What do you think of the 3-year timeline for installing hardware changes?
  • What experiences do you have with ongoing testing and maintenance requirements?
  • Do you know where to find the air rules for gas stations? How easy is it for you to find answers to your questions about air regulations for your station? Are there any changes, tools, or guidance that would be helpful for PSCAA to provide?
  • How many stations do you own? How many employees do you have? PSCAA will also ask for voluntary demographic data such as race of ownership and language(s) spoken by owners and employees.
  • PSCAA welcomes general feedback from station owners about gas station air rules.

What happens next?

PSCAA will collect responses from gas station owners, testers, and installers about the proposal. After collecting responses, PSCAA will start drafting rule updates and begin the formal rulemaking process.