Sec 3-3515. Stage II vapor recovery systems

A. A person shall not offer for sale, sell, install or use a new gasoline vapor recovery system, or any new or rebuilt component parts of the system, unless the system or component part has been certified by the California air resources board as of March 31, 2001 or after that date, or has been approved by a third party accredited to test equipment and recognized by industry and the division, and has not been rejected by the division. The division shall maintain and keep current a list of stage II vapor recovery systems and component parts that are approved by the division. Only those systems that are approved shall be used in this state. All certified vapor recovery components must be clearly identified by a permanent identification affixed by the certified manufacturer or rebuilder.

B. In an ozone nonattainment area designated as moderate, serious, severe or extreme by the United States environmental protection agency under section 107(d) of the clean air act or area A, an owner or operator of a gasoline dispensing site shall not transfer or allow the transfer of gasoline into a motor vehicle fuel tank at a gasoline dispensing site unless the gasoline dispensing site is equipped with a stage II vapor recovery system, unless the stage II equipment has been decommissioned in accordance with the procedures established pursuant to subsection H of this section. This subsection does not apply to gasoline dispensing sites with a throughput of less than ten thousand gallons per month, or to a gasoline dispensing site with a throughput of less than fifty thousand gallons per month in the case of an independent small business marketer of gasoline as defined in section 324 of the clean air act or to a gasoline dispensing site that is located on a manufacturer's proving ground. This subsection applies to gasoline dispensing sites that are located within area A but outside the Phoenix area Maricopa county ozone nonattainment area as defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations section 81.303.

C. An owner or operator of a gasoline storage tank, gasoline transport vehicle or gasoline dispensing site subject to stage II vapor recovery requirements shall comply with the following:

1. Install all necessary stage II vapor recovery systems and make any modifications necessary to comply with the requirements.

2. Provide adequate training and written instructions to the operator of the affected gasoline dispensing site and the gasoline transport vehicle.

3. Replace, repair or modify any worn or ineffective component or design element to ensure the vapor-tight integrity and efficiency of the stage II vapor recovery systems.

4. Connect and ensure proper operation of the stage II vapor recovery systems whenever gasoline is being loaded, unloaded or dispensed.

5. Have the stage II vapor recovery system tested annually by a registered service representative licensed by the division.

D. Before the modification of any stage II vapor recovery system, the owner or operator of a gasoline storage tank, gasoline transport vehicle or gasoline dispensing site shall obtain a plan review and approval from the division. The division shall prescribe forms for the application for the plan review and approval.

E. The operator of each gasoline dispensing site using a stage II vapor recovery system shall conspicuously post operating instructions for the system in the gasoline or oxygenated fuel dispensing area. The instructions shall clearly describe how to fuel vehicles correctly with the vapor recovery nozzles used at the station and shall include a warning that topping off may result in spillage or recirculation of gasoline or oxygenated fuel and is prohibited.

F. The division in consultation with the department of environmental quality and the state fire marshal shall establish by rule standards for the installation and operation of stage II vapor recovery systems. The division shall establish by rule plan review and approval fees. In establishing those rules and standards, the associate director shall consider requirements in other states to ensure that only state-of-the-art technology is used.

G. Approval of a stage II vapor recovery system by the division does not relieve the owner or operator of the responsibility to comply with other applicable statutes, codes and rules pertaining to fire prevention, environmental quality and safety matters.

H. The division in consultation with the department of environmental quality and the state fire marshal shall establish by rule standards for decommissioning stage II vapor recovery systems on or after October 1, 2016 but not later than September 30, 2018, or such dates as approved by the United States environmental protection agency in the state implementation plan revision for the removal of stage II vapor recovery systems submitted under section 110(l) of the clean air act, whichever is later. The rules must require removal of stage II vapor recovery systems no later than September 30, 2018, or the final removal date approved by the United States environmental protection agency in the state implementation plan revision for the removal of stage II vapor recovery systems submitted under section 110(l) of the clean air act, whichever is later. The division shall prescribe forms for the application for the plan review and approval. The division shall establish by rule plan review and approval fees.

I. All stage II vapor recovery systems and testing must remain in place until such systems are decommissioned pursuant to subsection H of this section.

J. The requirements prescribed for stage II vapor recovery systems pursuant to subsections A through E of this section do not apply to a retail station if the construction begins after April 22, 2014.

K. The requirements for stage II vapor recovery systems prescribed in subsections A through E of this section do not apply to an owner or operator who has decommissioned stage II vapor recovery equipment in accordance with the standards established by the division pursuant to subsection H of this section.

(L15, Ch. 244, sec. 25. Eff. 7/1/16 until 10/1/18)