Ozone is an odorless, colorless gas that forms in the atmosphere, primarily during the summer. Ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of heat and strong sunlight.

Ozone has been an ongoing concern in the Treasure Valley. The valley experiences hot, sunny summers, which provide the ideal setting for the formation of ground-level ozone. The pollutants that cause ozone come from gasoline vapors, motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, chemical solvent, and vegetation.

The federal government lowered the national ambient air quality standard for ozone this year. Installation and operation of Stage 1 vapor collection equipment will reduce VOC emissions by over 1,000 tons per year. Because VOCs are the major contributor to ozone formation, such a reduction should reduce ozone in the ambient air and potentially lower concentrations such that ozone nonattainment may be avoided. DEQ and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) are implementing this grant-funded program to aid in combating the ozone issue in the Treasure Valley.

Stage 1 vapor collection is the process of recovering VOCs that are emitted during the transfer of gasoline from the delivery vehicle into the underground storage tank (UST) holding petroleum products. Vapors in the tank are displaced as the gasoline fills the tank. During Stage 1 vapor collection, the vapors are routed through a hose back into the gasoline cargo tank and are returned to the terminal for processing. This process prevents venting the gasoline vapors directly into the atmosphere.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding is prohibited for the use of federal requirements. (TEA-21, Public Law 95-198, June 9, 1998)

Funding is not available if any of the following are true:

• Gasoline Dispensing Facilities (GDFs) with tank throughputs of 100,000 gallons per month or more.
• Gasoline delivery vessels that dispense gasoline to a GDF that has greater than 100,000 gallons of throughput per month.

 How do I know if I am eligible for reimbursement?

 Who must install Stage 1 Vapor Collection and when?

All gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) in Ada or Canyon County that own one or more USTs with a tank capacity of 10,000 gallons or greater and not otherwise subject to 40 C.F.R. 63.11118 will have to implement a Stage 1 vapor collection program by May 1, 2010. New sources must comply with this rule effective April 1, 2009. This includes USTs and associated equipment components in vapor or liquid gasoline services at new, reconstructed, or existing GDFs such as, pressure/vacuum vents on underground gasoline storage tanks and the equipment necessary to unload product from cargo tanks into the storage tanks at GDFs. 

No gasoline dispensing facility subject to this regulation may receive gasoline if it is not equipped with a Stage I vapor collection system after May 1, 2010. Any GDF with a vapor recovery system installed must use this system during gasoline deliveries after April 1, 2009.

 How do I ensure my reimbursement?