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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.

 
 

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