United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Press Office (A-107)
Washington DC 20460
&EPA Environmental
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY APRIL 23, 1980
Ryan (202) 755-0344
EPA RULES 75
PERCENT CUT IN
SMOG-FORMING
POLLUTION FROM
PETROLEUM STORAGE
TANKS
Tougher air pollution standards recently issued
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will cut
smog-forming pollution from new petroleum storage
tanks 75 percent below Federal levels set for this
source in 1974. This works out to a pollution reduction
of 5,000 tons yearly by 1985.
This smog-forming pollution is called volatile organic
compounds (VOC), which are made up mainly of hydro-
carbons. In the presence of sunlight, VOC mix with
atmospheric nitrogen dioxide pollution to form smog
(ozone). Smog may cause breathing impairment, eye
irritation, deterioration of rubber and other materials,
and damage to plant tissue. Petroleum storage tanks
contribute nearly 4.5 percent of national VOC emissions
from industry.
These final new source performance standards affect
only those tanks that (1) began construction after
May 18, 1978, the date the revised regulations were
proposed (or existing ones that are modified or
reconstructed); (2) have storage capacity greater
than 40,000 gallons; and (3) contain petroleum
liquids with a vapor pressure greater than 1.5 pounds
per square inch. The standards exempt storage: tanks
used at drilling sites to store crude oil or natural
gas, but only if such tanks have storage capacity
less than 420,000 gallons.
EPA estimates that the capital costs per tank pf meeting
the new standards in the next five years will increase
between 0.6 and 1.3 percent, or between $12,000 and
$19,000. The standards will increase annual opera-
tional costs per tank from $1,100 to $3,300, depending
on vapor pressure, petroleum costs and wind velocity.
R-69
(more)

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The regulations require the use of improved emission control
technology for storage tanks equipped with external floating
roofs. These roofs float or rest on the liquid surface, thus
covering the petroleum in the, tanks. EPA's 1974 regulations
required installation of one seal between the roof edge and
tank wall to reduce VOC emissions. The new rules will
further reduce VOC pollution by requiring two seals and by
minimizing the gaps between the seals and tank walls.
As an alternative to floating roofs, tank owners may install
a vapor recovery process or any other system that reduces
VOC emissions to the same degree as the roofs.
New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) are issued under
authority of section 111 of the Glean Air Act. This section
requires EPA to set direct Federal emission limitations for
all categories of industries whose air pollution causes or
contributes to the endangerment of public health or welfare.
The standards reflect the degree of pollution control that
can be achieved by using the best technological system of
continuous pollution reduction. In determining the best
system of pollution control for each category, EPA must
consider the financial cost of achieving such reduction, as
well as health, energy impact, and environmental considerations
not related to air quality. Since 1971, final NSPS have
been set for 28 different industrial categories. Pollution
sources existing prior to NSPS regulation are subject to
State standards.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review each NSPS four
years after it's issued, and, if appropriate, as with
petroleum storage tanks, to issue new regulations.
The revised standards appeared in the April 4, 1980 Federal Register.
The docket containing all information and comments used by
EPA in developing the standards is filed under No. OAQPS-78-2,
room 2903B, Waterside Mall, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20460, phone (202) 755-0353 (FTS 755-0353).
For further information, contact Gene Smith, Emission Standards
and Engineering Division (MD-13), OAQPS, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711, or
phone (919) 541-5477 (FTS 629-5477).
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