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VOLUNTARY PROGRAM PROPOSED TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION FROM ABOVE-GROUND PETROLEUM PRODUCT STORAGE TANKS
Release Date: 01/20/2000
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2000
VOLUNTARY PROGRAM PROPOSED TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION
FROM ABOVE-GROUND PETROLEUM PRODUCT STORAGE TANKS
FROM ABOVE-GROUND PETROLEUM PRODUCT STORAGE TANKS
In the Jan.14 Federal Register, EPA proposed a voluntary compliance program to reduce the leakage of smog-causing vapors from large above-ground petroleum product refinery storage tanks in a timely, cost-effective manner. The leakages occur where there are "floating roofs," covers which float in the tanks above the stored liquid product and where there are "slotted guidepoles" to guide the motion of the floating roofs. Companies with these tanks would volunteer to install enhanced emission controls on the guidepoles. The program was developed with the American Petroleum Institute, which agreed with EPA that the guidepoles release volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. EPA believes that there are observable emission pathways between the guidepoles and the floating roofs in violation of a prohibition in the air quality New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). Some tanks can emit 10 tons of VOC emissions per year, approximately the equivalent of the annual emissions from 380 cars and trucks. As a condition of program participation, EPA will refrain from enforcement action on any facility not presently subject to enforcement action for uncontrolled guidepoles. EPA believes the benefits of this program are preferable to lengthy enforcement actions. Comments should be submitted by Feb. 28 to: Air Enforcement Division (MC 2242A), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460. In a separate Jan. 14 Federal Register notice dealing with storage tanks, EPA announced that it is reaffirming its position that the existing NSPS for tanks apply to visible gaps from slotted guidepoles. This notice prevents any confusion as to whether the NSP standards apply to these emission sources.
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