Stage II Vapor Recovery Decommissioning
Decommissioning Deadlines
*** Stage II vapor recovery is prohibited from use in Area A ***
Governor Brewer signed HB 2128 on April 22, 2014, which started the countdown for Stage II vapor recovery decommissioning in Area A. Decommissioning involved the deactivation and removal of Stage II vapor recovery equipment at gasoline dispensing sites. All Stage II vapor recovery equipment was required to be decommissioned by September 30, 2018. If you own or operate a fuel dispensing site in Area A that is currently operating Stage II vapor recovery equipment, you must cease all gasoline sales until all Stage II equipment has been decommissioned. Please notify the Weights and Measures Services Division (WMSD) immediately at 602-542-4373 or [email protected] if you have identified Stage II vapor recovery equipment currently in operating within Area A. Site owner/operators may reference our Stage II Decommissioning Reference Guide which explains the steps of the decommissioning process. If your site is in the process of decommissioning, you may submit all decommissioning notifications and forms here.
Click here to view a presentation on Stage II vapor recovery decommissioning.
The test procedures listed below are applicable to fuel dispensing sites that...
- ... were constructed after April 22, 2014 and operate only Stage I vapor recovery equipment.
- ... have decommissioned their Stage II vapor recovery equipment in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R3-7-913.
Background
On May 16, 2012 EPA issued a final rule (77 FR 28772) regarding the Widespread Use for Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR), which allows, but does not require, states to remove Stage II programs from the State Implementation Plan. The Arizona Department of Weights and Measures, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD), and the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), held several workshops to discuss and get feedback regarding the future of the Stage II Program.
The first workshop, held November 30, 2012, presented options regarding the future of the Stage II program. Based upon feedback received and analysis of the program, Arizona decided pursue a revision of the State Implementation Plan to allow decommissioning of Stage II Vapor Recovery equipment at gasoline dispensing stations in Area A. All requirements for Stage I/II vapor recovery equipment and testing remain in effect until the equipment is decommissioned.
An update regarding the status of the State Implementation Plan revision and anticipated statutory changes associated with decommissioning Stage II equipment was held on September 5, 2013. As stated during the workshop, the goal of the agencies is to remove the Stage II requirements as expeditiously as possible, while maintaining Stage I requirements.
On January 3, 2014, a third workshop was held to provide an update to stakeholders and present details regarding legislation to be proposed during the 2014 legislative session. Maricopa Association of Governments presented new information regarding the EPA approvable of the State Implementation Plan. Due to the current status of the ozone non-attainment area, EPA has suggested the plan submittal include decommissioning following the 2016 ozone season. Based on the options provided by EPA, the dates for decommissioning at existing stations were modified to October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2018. As drafted, the legislation proposed during the 2014 legislative session exempted new stations from Stage II requirements as soon as the legislation became effective.
The agencies continued working on the preparation of the State Implementation Plan submittal and regulatory changes that were required to reflect decommissioning of Stage II equipment and the requirements for the remaining Stage I systems.
April 22, 2014 - House Bill 2128 Signed By The Governor
Governor Brewer signed HB 2128 related to the decommissioning of the Stage II vapor recovery equipment in the Maricopa County area A. Information regarding the bill can be found at: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/52leg/1r/bills/hb2128p.pdf. The bill immediately exempts new stations from the Stage II vapor recovery requirements and requires decommissioning of Stage II during October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2018. All Stage II requirements remain in place until such time as equipment is decommissioned in accordance with Division rules. Additionally, all requirements for Stage I vapor recovery systems remain in-place, including permitting, operation, and testing.
The Department held three workshops for the development of the rules regarding decommissioning of stage II vapor recovery and requirements for stage I vapor recovery.
The third workshop was held on February 6, 2015 to discuss the different pressure decay test methods.
The rule was adopted by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) on August 6, 2015 and became effective October 6, 2015. A copy of the rule can be found here.
The rule outlined the default dates that owners and operators were required to decommission their Stage II vapor recovery equipment. The decommissioning year was based upon the location's Weights and Measures BMF (license) number as follows:
Year 1:
Sites with a BMF of 13676 or lower must decommission between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017.
Year 2:
Sites with a BMF of 13677 or higher must decommission between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018.
Throughput Exempt:
Sites exempt under A.A.C. R3-7-1002(B) may decommission anytime between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2018.
Alternate Decommissioning Plans:
Alternate decommissioning plan requests were allowed for approval if a site wished to decommission in year 1 instead of year 2, or vice versa.