Standards for hazardous air pollutant emissions from gasoline distribution facilities, such as storage tanks and loading operations, have been tightened by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). New source performance standards for bulk gasoline terminals and gasoline distribution facilities have also been issued.

The toxic air pollutants covered include benzene, hexane, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, 2,2,4- trimethylpentane, cumene and naphthalene. The revised rules are expected to reduce emissions of these contaminants by 2,220 tons per year, and to lower emissions of volatile organic compounds by 45,400 tons per year.

This action will require gasoline distribution facilities to adopt cost-effective practices and control technologies to reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions. Due to the expected reductions in air emissions, such as leaks at these facilities, EPA projects that the revised and strengthened regulations will result in annualized cost savings. The updated standards apply to emissions during periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction; monitoring and operating provisions for control devices; and electronic reporting.