Gasoline Vapor Recovery Program

Tanker trucks

Dispensing facilities

Top Off Ban

Contacts

Vapors are emitted during the storage and distribution of gasoline. Gas vapors contain air toxics such as benzene, a known carcinogen, and produce smog. DEQ regulations require that Oregon's service stations, gasoline transporters, bulk tanks and terminals have equipment to capture gas vapors. These regulations protect the health of employees and the public, conserve fuel, prevent spills and contamination, and prevent the malfunction of vapor recovery systems installed on newer vehicles. Gasoline terminals and bulk tank facilities Gasoline terminals and bulk tank facilities are subject to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants rules put into law by the U.S. EPA and adopted by DEQ (OAR 340 Division 244). DEQ incorporates these requirements into air quality permits. The goal of the requirements is to capture vapors while transferring gasoline between storage tanks, tanker trucks, rail cars or marine vessels. Tanker trucks The transport of gasoline in tanker trucks is subject to Oregon law (OAR 340 Division 232) and is incorporated into DEQ's tanker certification program. When picking up gasoline at a terminal, tankers must display DEQ issued stickers showing they have passed an annual leak test. DEQ also requires tankers to connect vapor recovery equipment when delivering gasoline at dispensing facilities.

Seeing Gasoline Vapors – 2006 Video courtesy KGW News Channel 8

Gasoline dispensing facilities

Gas stations and other dispensing facilities are subject to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants rules put into law by the U.S. EPA and adopted by DEQ (OAR 340 Division 232, 242, and 244). When the Environmental Quality Commission adopted them into state rules, they chose to adopt more stringent rules, requiring smaller dispensing facilities to be included. The goal of this rule is to capture vapors while transferring gasoline from tanker trucks into storage tanks and is referred to as Stage I vapor controls. These requirements are incorporated into new air quality permits administered by DEQ.

Portland Metro area gas stations are subject to a second set of state rules (OAR 340 Division 242). These requirements are incorporated into air quality permits administered by DEQ and are being modified to a different type of permit to be more consistent with other facilities. The goal of this rule is to capture vapors while transferring gasoline from the pump to an individual vehicle. This is referred to as Stage II vapor controls. Cars manufactured after 1998 have canisters built in to automatically capture vapors.

More information

• Gasoline Dispensing Facilities (fact sheet)
  • Stage I and Stage II Vapor Recovery ACDP Permit Applications
  • Maintenance and Inspection Log for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
• The How To Book on Vapor Recovery: Keep your gas station in compliance with vapor recovery law
• Gasoline Transporter Certification Permit application: Required of any gasoline transport vessel operating in Oregon.
• Gasoline Dispensing Facility Permit Exemption Form For gasoline dispensing facilities that dispense less than 120,000 gallons of gasoline per year.
• Gasoline Terminals in Northwest Portland
• EPA website: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Gasoline Distribution Bulk Terminals, Bulk Plants and Gasoline Dispensing Facilities

Top Off Ban

Topping off is when an attendant continues to fill a gasoline tank after the nozzle has clicked off. If an attendant can confirm that a vehicle tank is not full after the click off, the attendant may continue to dispense fuel using best judgment and caution to prevent a spill.

Oregon law now prohibits topping off vehicle fuel tanks during refueling. Topping off causes gasoline drips and spills that release harmful pollution, wastes fuel, and causes vapor recovery equipment in vehicles and at gas pumps to malfunction.

DEQ provides a "No Topping Off" sign and flyer for gasoline stations and distribution facilities.

• Top Off Poster 8x11 PDF
• Top Off Ban Flyer PDF

Contact Information for Vapor Recovery Questions

Topic	Counties	Contact
Statewide Gasoline Transporter Certification	All	Portland DEQ: Johnny Baumgartner 503-229-6035 (toll free 800-452-4011)
Stage I and II	Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington	Portland DEQ: Johnny Baumgartner 503-229-6035 (toll free 800-452-4011)
Stage I	Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook	Portland DEQ: Johnny Baumgartner 503-229-6035 (toll free 800-452-4011)
	Marion, Linn, Polk, Lincoln, Benton	Salem DEQ: Dottie Boyd 503-378-5086 (toll free 800-349-7677)
	Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson	Medford DEQ: Steve Croucher 541-776-6107 (toll free 877-823-3216)
	Central and Eastern Oregon (includes Columbia River Gorge)	Pendleton DEQ: Tom Hack 541-278-4626
	Lane (County)	LRAPA: 541-736-1056

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