Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
In Forsyth County, all Gasoline Dispensing Facilities (GDFs) with annual throughputs
of greater than 50,000 gallons of gasoline per year, or those who do not have permanently
equipped submerged fill pipes are required to register
with the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department. New GDFs that project
annual throughput of greater than 50,000 gallons of gasoline are also required to
register. These facilities are required to install Stage 1 vapor recovery systems
in accordance with Subchapter 3D.0928 entitled Gasoline Service Stations Stage 1
of the Forsyth County Air Quality Code.
This equipment prevents the release of gasoline vapor emissions while liquid is
being transferred from the cargo tanks to the underground storage tanks. Gasoline
vapors contain air toxics, some of which are carcinogenic (e.g. benzene). They also
contain volatile organic compounds that contribute to the production of ozone. Ozone
produced in the lower levels of the atmosphere causes health problems, damage to
vegetation, and the physical deterioration of man-made structures and finishes.
On January 10, 2008, U.S. EPA published 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart CCCCCC — National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
as a final rule. These rules affect all gasoline dispensing stations except major
facilities subject to Title V permitting.
The rules are separated into three compliance categories based on throughput of
gasoline (excluding aviation gasoline storage tanks at airports). They are:
- Facilities with monthly throughputs less than 10,000 gallons ((These requirements
also apply to tanks with capacities of less than 250 gallons at all facilities,
regardless of throughput).
- Facilities with monthly throughputs of 10,000 gallons or more
- Facilities with monthly throughputs of 100,000 gallons or more
When do gasoline dispensing facilities have to comply with
this rule?
- A gasoline dispensing facility that commenced construction or reconstruction after
November 9, 2006 must comply with the applicable requirements by January 10, 2008.
- A gasoline dispensing facility that commenced construction or reconstruction after
January 10, 2008 must be in compliance with the applicable requirements upon startup.
- All gasoline dispensing facilities that commenced construction on or before November
9, 2006 must comply with the applicable requirements no later than January 10, 2011.
If you have a facility that commenced construction before November 9, 2006 that
becomes subject to more stringent requirements because of an increase in the average
monthly throughput, you must comply with the more stringent requirements no later
than 3 years after the date that it becomes subject to these requirements.
- Reconstruction, unless otherwise defined in a relevant standard, means the replacement
of components of an affected or a previously nonaffected source to such an extent
that:
- The fixed capital cost of the new components exceeds 50 percent of the fixed capital
cost that would be required to construct a comparable new source; and
- It is technologically and economically feasible for the reconstructed source to
meet the relevant standard(s) established by the Administrator (or a State) pursuant
to section 112 of the Act. Upon reconstruction, an affected source, or a stationary
source that becomes an affected source, is subject to relevant standards for new
sources, including compliance dates, irrespective of any change in emissions of
hazardous air pollutants from that source.