WASHINGTON — The EPA has determined that the systems used at gas station pumps to capture harmful gasoline vapors while refueling cars can be phased out. Since 2006, vehicles are equipped to capture those emissions. This final rule is part of the Obama Administration’s initiative to ensure that regulations protect public health and the environment without being unnecessarily burdensome to American businesses, it said. Onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) for capturing gasoline vapor when gasoline-powered vehicles are refueled is in widespread use throughout the highway motor vehicle fleet.

NOTE: ORVR only covers about 70% of all vehicles on the road today, meaning that fully 1/3 of all vehicles on the road do NOT have ORVR capability, and will therefore release gasoline vapors while refueling.

See the full article here.

Sometimes folks get tired of hearing us remind them about regular maintenance for their Petroleum Equipment. Sometimes it takes a near-fatal accident to underscore the importance of regular maintenance on all equipment, testing gauges, monitoring systems, etc. Working in and around petroleum products can be outright dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. This business can be quite unforgiving. In this case, a few pictures are worth more than several thousand words and reminders.

At an undisclosed location, a delivery truck was pumping gasoline into an aboveground storage tank (AST) with a broken volume gauge and overfill alarm. The delivery truck was left running during this process, and when the tank overfilled, BOOM! it ignited a fire! Luckily, the driver was able to escape with only 2nd degree burns – but it could have been fatal.

We take this opportunity to remind our customers again that it is so important for equipment to be is tested and maintained, and safety procedures be followed at all times.