C OMPLIANCE A SSISTANCE P ROGRAM UPDATE SPOKANE REGIONAL CLEAN AIR AGENCY An Informative Newsletter Helping Businesses Reduce Air Pollution in Spokane County Summer - Fall 2015 Deadline Approaching for Pressure Vacuum Vents (P/V Caps) on Gasoline Storage Tanks D uring routine gasoline station inspections over the last two years, Spokane Clean Air staff have made an attempt to provide written notification and educational materials to owners/operators whose gasoline underground storage tank (UST) vent pipes appear to be missing pressure vacuum vents (P/V caps). While most owners/operators installed the P/V caps after these outreach efforts, there are likely others that have not yet done so. Spokane Clean Air will continue to provide notices of Corrective Action when missing P/V caps are identified during inspections through December 31, 2015. After this date, all gasoline stations (those required to have Stage I vapor recover systems) must have P/V caps on their gasoline UST vent pipes. Spokane Clean Air encourages all gas station owners/operators to take time now, before the December 31 deadline, to inspect their equipment for compliance with this requirement. After December 31, facilities in non-compliance may be issued a Notice of Violation, which typically includes a financial penalty. What are P/V Caps? P/V caps are pressure release devices installed on gasoline storage tank vent pipes. P/V caps are designed to minimize vapor (Volatile Organic Compounds – VOCs) loss while maintaining a safe pressure within the UST. P/V caps may also protect tanks against water, debris or insects entering the vent pipes. A normally closed poppet in the P/V cap opens at a pre-determined setting to allow the tank to maintain pressure at safe levels. Vapor Recovery and P/V Caps Nearly all gasoline stations in Spokane County are required to use and maintain Stage I vapor recovery systems. Stage I vapor recovery is designed to control the release of gasoline vapors to the atmosphere when gasoline is delivered to the UST. For stations required to use Stage I vapor recovery systems, no delivery of gasoline into the UST should be permitted when the Stage I vapor balance system is not Compliance Deadline operated satisfactorily. A P/V cap is an integral part of a Stage I system. There have been instances where gasoline stations have installed “rain caps” on the UST vent pipes that look very similar to P/V caps. Without P/V caps, tank vent pipes allow an uncontrolled path for gasoline vapors to escape to the atmosphere during UST fuel deliveries. Gasoline vapors that go out vent pipes contain toxic air pollutants, such as benzene, and contribute to the formation of ground- level ozone. Below is a picture depicting a rain cap (left) and three P/V caps. The best way to verify if your cap is a P/V cap is to look for a sticker or label with pressure ratings on it (as seen in the picture below with the three P/V caps to the right.) If your cap is metal and is attached to the vent pipe by one bolt (versus three bolts), and does not have a pressure rating label, it is likely a rain cap. If you are not sure that you have a properly functioning P/V cap, now is the time to call your gasoline equip- ment service provider and find out. Rain Caps are not P/V Caps Rain Cap { P/V Caps {
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COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCEPROGRAM
UPDATESPOKANE REGIONAL CLEAN AIR AGENCY
An Informative Newsletter Helping Businesses Reduce Air Pollution in Spokane County
Summer - Fall 2015
Deadline Approaching for Pressure Vacuum Vents (P/V Caps) on Gasoline Storage Tanks
During routine gasoline station inspections over the last two years, Spokane Clean Air
staff have made an attempt to provide written notification and educational materials to owners/operators whose gasoline underground storage tank (UST) vent pipes appear to be missing pressure vacuum vents (P/V caps). While most owners/operators installed the P/V caps after these outreach efforts, there are likely others that have not yet done so.
Spokane Clean Air will continue to provide notices of Corrective Action when missing P/V caps are identified during inspections through December 31, 2015. After this date, all gasoline stations (those required to have Stage I vapor recover systems) must have P/V caps on their gasoline UST vent pipes.
Spokane Clean Air encourages all gas station owners/operators to take time now, before the December 31 deadline, to inspect their equipment for compliance with this requirement. After December 31, facilities in non-compliance may be issued a Notice of Violation, which typically includes a financial penalty.
What are P/V Caps?
P/V caps are pressure release devices installed on gasoline storage tank vent pipes.
P/V caps are designed to minimize vapor (Volatile Organic Compounds – VOCs) loss while maintaining a safe pressure within the UST. P/V caps may also protect tanks against water, debris or insects entering the vent pipes. A normally closed poppet in the P/V cap opens at a pre-determined setting to allow the tank to maintain pressure at safe levels.
Vapor Recovery and P/V Caps
Nearly all gasoline stations in Spokane County are required to use and maintain Stage I vapor recovery systems. Stage I vapor recovery is designed to control the release of gasoline vapors to the atmosphere when gasoline is delivered to the UST.
For stat ions required to use Stage I vapor recovery systems, no delivery of gasoline into the UST should be permitted when the Stage I vapor balance system is not
Compliance Deadline
operated satisfactorily. A P/V cap is an integral part of a Stage I system.
There have been instances where gasoline stations have installed “rain caps” on the UST vent pipes that look very similar to P/V caps. Without P/V caps, tank vent pipes allow an uncontrolled path for gasoline vapors to escape to the atmosphere during UST fuel deliveries. Gasoline vapors that go out vent pipes contain toxic air pollutants, such as benzene, and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.
Below is a picture depicting a rain cap (left) and three P/V caps. The best way to verify if your cap is a P/V cap is to look for a sticker or label with pressure ratings on it (as seen in the picture below with the three P/V caps to the right.) If your cap is metal and is attached to the vent pipe by one bolt
(versus three bolts), and does not have a pressure rating label, it is likely a rain cap.
If you are not sure that you have a properly functioning P/V cap, now is the time to call your gasoline equip-ment service provider and find out.
Rain Caps are not P/V Caps
Rain Cap
{
P/V Caps
{
2 Compliance Assistance Program UPDATE, Summer-Fall 2015
Engineering/Compliance
What to Expect When We're Inspecting
Nobody likes surprises, espe-cially when it comes to com-pliance inspections!
Spokane Clean Air implements many programs which are designed to improve air quality by reducing emis-sions from various sources of air pollu-tion. For businesses with air contami-nant sources, this involves registration and inspection to verify that proper practices and controls are being used to capture emissions and that air qual-ity regulations are being met.
Inspections may be conducted for any of the following reasons:
✔ Assist the facility with registration and/or approve Notice of Construction (NOC);
✔ Verify initial compliance with approved NOC operational conditions;
✔ Verify continuing compliance with air quality regulations and approved NOC operational conditions;
✔ Provide compliance assistance information at the request of the facility; and
✔ Respond to complaints from the public.
Information gathered during an inspection varies depending on the type of facility being inspected and the purpose of the inspection.
Basic elements of most inspections include:
✔ Verify the number of air pollution sources and/or control equipment;
✔ Verify that the equipment is being operated and maintained properly;
✔ Verify that all air quality rules and approved NOC operational conditions are being met;
✔ Obtain records of material usage and/or hours of operation of equipment;
✔ Review other operating para- meters, operating procedures, and equipment maintenance logs;
✔ Discuss any planned modifi- cations to the facility processes and/or equipment, and permit requirements; and
✔ Respond to concerns and/or questions that the facility operator may have.
Following each inspection, the facility operator is informed of the facility’s compliance status and any corrective actions that may be required. If a significant violation is documented, a Notice of Violation may be issued and the facility may be subject to penalties.
If you have questions or comments about an inspection at your facility, or would like to schedule a comple-mentary pre-inspection compliance assistance visit, call 477-4727. �
Spokane Clean Air employs three air quality engineers who are responsible for reviewing and approving air quality permits (called Notices of Construction), examining annual testing results
from various permitted facilities, maintaining emissions inventories, and providing information to facilities related to air quality regulations.
We also employ five air quality specialists whose responsibilities include conducting on-site facility inspections, providing compliance assistance, enforcing air pollution regulations and responding to citizen complaints.
2014 Summary:Existing facilities registered … 633
New facilities registered …… 21
Notices of Construction issued 35
Notices of Intent issued ……… 15
Facility inspections …………… 373
Asbestos-related contacts …… 138
Notices of Violation issued … 76
Air quality complaints filed … 698
3
Spokane Clean Air
Complaint &Enforcement
Process
PENALTY ASSESSED NO EARLIER THAN 30 DAYS FROM THE NOV ISSUANCE DATE
(Mitigation/Appeal info. sent with penalty notice)
REQUEST RELIEF (aka “MITIGATION”)
(30 DAYS)
APPEAL TO PCHB** AND SRCAA WITHIN 30 DAYS
PAY PENALTY(30 DAYS)
REMINDER SENT RE: PAYMENT DUE
(30 DAYS)
NOTICE OF DISPOSITION
(e.g., reduced penalty, payment plan, etc.)
MAY APPEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT
MAY APPEAL TO COURT OF APPEALS
WASHINGTON STATE SUPREME COURT
PCHB HEARINGAND DECISION
COLLECTION
FREE PCHB MEDIATION (phone or in-person)
PCHB ENCOURAGES PARTIES TO EXPLORE
INFORMAL RESOLUTION
AIR QUALITY-RELATED COMPLAINT FILED*
INSPECTOR INVESTIGATES
Responses to complaints typically occurwithin three working days.
EDUCATION PROVIDED
NOTICE OF VIOLATION(Approx. 75 issued/year)
VERBAL WARNING
WRITTEN WARNING
NO ISSUES FOUND
ISSUES FOUND
CORRECTIVE ACTION
REQUIRED NO FURTHER ACTION
NECESSARY
*The most common complaints filed are related to smoke from wood heating and outdoor burning; dust from roads, lots and construction activities; odors and asbestos.
**PCHB stands for the Pollution Control Hearings Board, an independant, statewide board appointed by the Governor.
{Approx.275 verbaland writtenwarnings issuedper year
Compliance Assistance Program UPDATE, Summer-Fall 2015 4
Local Businesses Earn Gold and Silver Recognition
Every two years, Spokane Clean Air recognizes businesses that have gone “above and beyond” the basic requirements of their air qual-ity permits. These companies can be recognized as either “Gold”
or “Silver” recipients. Each receives a static window decal (pictured on right) to proudly display at their business location. Listed below are the 2015-2016 "Gold" and "Silver" recognized companies.
GOLD
American Way Collision CenterAssociated Painters
Bonneville Power AdministrationEastern Washington University
Contemporary Fiberglass & MarineContract Resource GroupCoyote Creek CabinetsCylinder Head Service
Dave's Auto Body & Glass Driscoll One Stop
Expeditors InternationalFood Mart #1Freeman Store
Global Metal TechnologyGrocery Boys
Group Health – SunsetGroup Health - N. River
Harper ConocoHarry's Food Mart
Inland Northwest Blood CenterIndian Trail Service Center Inland Asphalt - Sullivan Rd
Jensen Auto ServiceKHQ Inc
Last November, the Spokane Riv-er Forum launched a new waste directory, an interactive on-line database that lets individuals and small businesses connect with ven-dors (public and private) that are available to safely dispose of their wastes. Common disposal options include taking it to a transfer sta-tion or drop-off location, curbside or front door pick-up, or using the postal system. Part of the directory
even uses Google Maps to give you directions to drop off material.
For residents, the database includes 115 waste types and 54 vendors. For businesses, there are 143 waste types and 57 vendors. Many ven-dors have multiple locations. The directory has “filters” and descrip-tions of waste types and vendors to assure someone’s needs are easily and best matched with the waste they are trying to get rid of.
Another unique feature of the directory is providing “green alter-native” options for switching to a benign product or using a different practice to avoid contributing to the waste stream.
Development of the waste di-rectory was made possible by a Public Participation Grant from the Department of Ecol-ogy. Check out this service at www.spokanewastedirectory.org
There Are Options for Your Business’s Waste!
5 Compliance Assistance Program UPDATE, Summer-Fall 2015
Spokane International AirportVoluntary Airport Low Emissions Project
Business Spotlight
Passengers and ground crew at Spokane International Airport (SIA) are breathing
cleaner air since the Airport cut the use of conventional fuels to power aircraft between flights.
Aircraft waiting at the gates used to be kept heated or cooled with Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) which operate on jet fuel. Now, with the help of a federal grant, pre-conditioned air (PCA) units at each of the gates provides cleaner central heating and cooling. PCAs are powered by electric not jet fuel.
VALE (Voluntary Air-port Low Emissions) grants are awarded by the Federal Aviation Ad-ministration to improve air quality by reducing sources of airport ground emissions. SIA was awarded $2.5 million and completed the project in 2013.
"The Airport already had three PCAs and the grant helped us purchase an additional 11 units, so now all passenger boarding bridges at SIA are equipped with PCAs,” said Matt Breen, Acting Director of Planning & Engineer-ing at SIA.
PCAs provide interior climate con-trol between take-offs and landings so that the jet doesn’t have to idle on the APU and emit excessive emissions.
If you’ve flown in or out of SIA, perhaps you’ve noticed that the strong smell of jet fuel is gone or is much less noticeable.
Grant funds also provided for four ground power units (GPUs) at FedEx and UPS cargo terminals. The cargo planes now hook up to electric power instead of jet- fueled APUs.
There are four parking positions for the heavy cargo aircraft fleet, and each of the four parking positions has a ground power unit.
“The economic benefit of using
GPUs rather than APUs is compel-ling. Both FedEx and UPS use the GPUs extensively,” added Breen.
A typical onboard aircraft auxiliary power unit consumes 54 gallons of jet fuel per hour. Assuming $4.00 per gallon, that equals more than $200 per hour in fuel costs.
The air quality benefits are signifi-cant as well. Most of the pollutants reduced (nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds) are those that contribute to ground-level ozone. Ozone is a harmful air pollutant formed by a photochemical reac-tion. Levels of ozone peak on the hottest days of summer. A new, national health-based standard for ozone will be finalized this fall. If the standard is set on the low end, the Spokane area could be facing some challenges to keep meeting the health-based standard.
Over the life of the equipment, air pollutants are estimated to be reduced by 390 tons, which is equivalent to removing over 2,500 vehicles off the roads.
“The VALE Project pro-vided a way for the Air-port to reduce the Air-lines’ cost of doing busi-ness here, by reducing their fuel cost,” explained Breen. “At the same time,
we are realizing significant reduc-tions in air pollution. The VALE Project is a great example of a real win-win for the Airlines and the Airport.”
These photos show the PCA unit in action. Photos courtesy of Spokane International Airport.
Pre-sort STD U.S. Postage
PAID Spokane, WA Permit No. 28
UPDATE Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency 3104 E. Augusta Avenue Spokane, WA 99207
A i r � Q u a l i t y � C a l e n d a rSpokane Clean Air's Board of Directors meet at 9:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month, unless otherwise publicized. Meetings are held at the agency's office, 3104 E. Augusta Ave. Meeting agendas and approved minutes are posted online www.SpokaneCleanAir.org.
UPDATE is published by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. Send article ideas and comments to [email protected].
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◆ Regulation dates: Hearing notices, proposed/final rule changes, etc.
◆ Compliance Assistance — Info to assist for local businesses with air quality requirements
◆ Asbestos Updates — Tips, regulation updates and periodic announcements and reminders related to asbestos requirements for contractors, property owners/managers, and interested residents.
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Board of Directors:
Al French, Chair, Spokane County CommissionerPatrick D. Rushing, Vice Chair, Small Cities & Towns Rep
Tom Brattebo, Member-at-Large Carmen Nezat, City of Spokane Representative
Bill Bates, City of Spokane Valley Representative
Our Mission: Preserve, enhance and protect the quality of Spokane County's air resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
