Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Controls Applicable to
Gasoline Retailers and Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers; 10 Gallon Per
Minute Fuel Dispensing Limit Requirement Implementation
[Federal Register: June 26, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 124)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 33034-33039]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 80
[FRL-5522-3]
RIN 2060-AG43
Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Controls Applicable to
Gasoline Retailers and Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers; 10 Gallon Per
Minute Fuel Dispensing Limit Requirement Implementation
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Direct final rule.
SUMMARY: On January 20, 1993 EPA finalized a requirement limiting
vehicle service station fuel dispensing rates to 10 gallons per minute
(gpm) maximum, beginning January 1, 1996, for retailers and wholesale
purchaser-consumers handling over 10,000 gallons of fuel per month (55
FR 16002, March 24, 1993). In 1995, various groups in the petroleum
industry requested that EPA delay the January 1, 1996 deadline, due
mainly to the lack of available retrofit parts needed for compliance
with the 10gpm requirement. This direct final rule delays the
implementation date of the 10gpm requirement from January 1, 1996 until
July 1, 1996. In addition, this direct final rule clarifies that the
hardware/software for controlling the fuel dispensing rate may be
located anywhere in the pump/dispenser system and that refueling
facilities are exempt from the 10gpm requirement if used exclusively to
refuel heavy-duty vehicles, boats or airplanes.
Today's action is beneficial to affected parties which are not
already in compliance with the 10gpm requirement. It provides
additional time for manufacturers of fuel dispensing hardware to
certify and produce the necessary equipment; and provides additional
time for service station owners and fleet managers handling over 10,000
gallons of fuel per month to install the equipment where it is needed.
It is not expected to result in any significant economic impact to any
of the affected parties. Today's action has no impact on service
station owners and fleet managers handling less than 10,000 gallons of
fuel per month because they are not required to meet the 10gpm
requirement until January 1, 1998.
Today's action does not result in any significant environmental
impacts. The six-month delay will only increase fuel spillage during
refueling events (on a fleet average basis) by approximately .03 grams
per gallon (or less) of fuel dispensed. For comparison purposes, the
onboard refueling vapor recovery refueling (ORVR) emission standard is
.20 grams per gallon of fuel dispensed for 1998 light-duty vehicles.
DATES: This rule will be effective August 26, 1996, unless adverse
comments are received by July 26, 1996. If such adverse comments are
received, EPA will publish a timely notice in the Federal Register
withdrawing this rule.
ADDRESSES: Materials relevant to the initial final rule, and today's
action are available for inspection in Public Dockets A-89-18 and A-95-
53 at Air Docket Section, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, First
Floor, Waterside Mall, Room M-1500, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460 (telephone 202-260-7548, fax 202-260-4400) between the hours of 8
a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A reasonable fee may be charged by EPA for copying
docket material. Any such notice or comments per the requirements of
this action should be submitted to this same address, with a
complimentary copy, if possible, to Karl Simon or Dave Good at the
address listed below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Simon at the U.S. EPA, 401 M
Street SW (mail code 6405J), Washington DC, 20460, telephone (202) 233-
9299; or Dave Good at the U. S. EPA, 2565 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 48105, telephone (313) 668-4450.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulated Entities
Entities potentially regulated by this action are retailers and
wholesale purchaser-consumers of gasoline and methanol which handle
over 10,000 gallons of fuel per month, for the purpose of refueling
passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Regulated entities would include
the following:
Category Examples of regulated entities
Industry..................... Service station owners, service station
managers, fleet managers who operate a
refueling facility to refuel motor
vehicles.
bases, who operate a refueling facility
to refuel motor vehicles.
motor vehicles.