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Dear PEI Member:

PEI is now soliciting comments on its latest recommended practice for the Inspection and Maintenance of Underground Storage Tank Systems (PEI/RP900).

A printed copy of the draft will be mailed next week to all PEI members in the United States and Canada. However, anyone interested in reviewing and commenting on the draft document before publication can download a copy, along with the comment form, from PEI’s web site at www.pei.org/RP900. Comments are due to PEI by Wednesday, September 26, 2007.

For a modern underground storage tank (UST) system to operate successfully and safely, a number of components from a variety of manufacturers must be properly installed, inspected and maintained. Constant vigilance with regard to detecting leaks and anticipating operational problems is required of all tank owners to ensure that environmental contamination does not occur. RP900 provides the UST facility owner with recommended practices that enhance the longevity and trouble-free performance of UST equipment. It also promotes fire prevention and storage system safety; encourages the protection of human health and the environment; promotes regulatory compliance; reduces liability associated with the operation of UST systems; and promotes early identification of potential equipment problems.

This document was produced as an industry service by PEI’s Underground Storage Tank Inspection and Maintenance Committee. The recommended practices described in the draft represent a synthesis of industry procedures, manufacturers’ recommendations and regulatory standards related to UST equipment. The practices are the consensus recommendations of members of the committee which include Brad Hoffman (chairman), Tanknology, Inc.; Scott C. Boorse, Wawa; John Burwell, Xerxes Corporation; Laura Chaddock, California SWRCB; Peter J. Cochefski, OPW Fuel Management Systems; Glenn E. Farmer, D & H Petroleum and Environmental; Duane Grippe, O’Day Equipment Company, LLC; Ann Hines, Arkansas Oil Marketers Association; Jim Howard, Hess Corporation; David J. Piercey, JD2 Environmental, Inc.; Ed Rachins, Mutual Oil Company; Steven J. Radvak, Compliance Management Inc.; John C. Scandurra, Conklin Services and Construction Inc.; Sonny Underwood, Mid-South Steel Products, Inc.; and Brian Weigert, Rounds and Associates. Marcel Moreau served as consultant to the committee.

RP 900 Out for Review

Temperature Comp. Bill Proposed in Senate

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TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION BILL INTRODUCED IN SENATE
On August 3, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced the Future Accountability in Retail (F.A.I.R.) Fuel Act that would require the installation of automatic temperature compensation devices in all retail gas station dispensers in the United States within six years of enactment of the legislation. According to Senator McCaskill’s press release, the bill (S.1997) would also:

• Give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), working in conjunction with the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), authority to implement the requirement with a final rule to be promulgated no later than one year after the enactment of the legislation.
• Require state inspectors to determine if the equipment has been installed and report to the FTC during their annual inspections.
• Give a reprieve to first time offenders with a follow-up inspection 180 days after the violation is found. If marketers are found to still be in violation during the second inspection, they will be fined $5,000 for each dispenser out of compliance.
• Establish a grant fund for retailers, other than major integrated oil companies, who want assistance to pay for the new equipment. A retailer can receive $1,000 per dispenser, but no more than $10,000 per company, to help pay for the equipment.

The F.A.I.R. Fuel Act has been endorsed by such groups as Public Citizen, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Consumers Union, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, Consumer Federation of America, and U.S. Public Interest Research Groups. Very strong and well-connected petroleum marketer groups vehemently oppose this legislation and have made it a high priority on their legislative agendas. We fully expect the F.A.I.R. Fuel Act to experience rough sledding down the road and ultimately fall by the wayside. Click here for a copy of the bill.

UL INCHES CLOSER TO LISTING E85 DISPENSERS
Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Northbrook, Illinois, has determined certain commercially available gasket and seal materials perform acceptably when exposed to concentrated ethanol blends such as E85, while other materials experience significant deterioration. The next step is for UL to accept certificate investigation requests for gaskets and seals for use with E85 motor fuels.

UL stated in an August 2 press release that research to establish E85 fuel dispensing equipment certification requirements continues on schedule. The testing firm anticipates completion of the research and development of certification requirements by year-end. Thereafter, UL will accept product submissions for E85 dispensers.

EPA RELEASES UST OPERATOR TRAINING GRANT GUIDELINES
The Environmental Protection Agency has released its final Grant Guidelines to States for Implementing the Operator Training Provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. For purposes of implementing the operator training requirements, EPA’s guidelines establish three classes of operators identified as Class A, Class B, and Class C. Each underground storage tank system or group of underground storage tank (UST) systems at a facility must have a Class A, Class B, and Class C operator designated. All individuals designated as a Class A, Class B, or Class C operator must, at a minimum, be trained according to these guidelines.

To assist states in identifying responsible individuals to be trained pursuant to these guidelines, this document characterizes, in general terms, each class of operator. The guidance also identifies general training requirements pertaining to operating and maintaining UST systems. States are required to develop state-specific training requirements for each individual class of operator.

If you are considering adding a UST operator training component to the services you currently offer, you need to read and understand what EPA is requiring from the states. Click here for a copy of the grant guidelines.

PEI CONVENTION NOTES
August 31 is the deadline for advance and group discount registration for the PEI convention. PEI members can save $100 by registering by August 31. To register for the PEI convention at the NACS Show, visit www.pei.org/show. If you still need a sleeping room in Atlanta and want to stay at a PEI headquarters hotel, call 800-448-6227 or 415-979-2294 immediately. There may still be a few rooms left. Remember that you MUST indicate that you are with the PEI room block. Cancellations do occur, so ask about a waiting list if your dates are not currently available. If you need any assistance with hotel reservations or convention registration, please contact PEI staff at 918-494-9696.

We need a few PEI members to assist us at several key convention functions at our convention in Atlanta. Volunteers are needed to greet attendees at the Inspirational Breakfast on November 7 and distribute speaker handouts at the concurrent education sessions on November 7 and 8. We could also use help in directing attendees to the PEI registration desk on the first day of the tradeshow, Wednesday, November 7. If you are interested, please respond by email to csmart@pei.org. We will send you a form so that you can let us know the date and time you would be willing to help. You will be notified of scheduled assignments by September 20.

NORTH AMERICAN PETROLEUM MARKETING BRIEFS
A study conducted by Energy Analysts International shows that hypermarkets now represent 10 percent of the retail gasoline market in the U.S., and suggests that its market share could climb to 13 percent by 2012.
Kum & Go, West Des Moines, Iowa, is selling 21 convenience stores and 12 surplus sites in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. The operating sites are either outside of the company’s core markets, or not large enough to consistently deliver the products that Kum & Go’s newer locations offer.
A study undertaken by MJ Ervin & Associates identified 13,772 retail gasoline stations in Canada as of December 31, 2006. Service station population in Canada has been declining about 2 percent a year since 1989.

BRIEFLY NOTED
Containment Solutions, Inc., Conroe, Texas, has hired S&S Industrial Marketing, Portland, Oregon, to represent its aboveground steel lubrication and petroleum dispensing tanks in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and the panhandle of Alaska.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced July 26 that her office has obtained a $600,000 judgment against the owners of four Massachusetts gasoline stations for failing to clean up gasoline spills, not performing annual Stage II vapor recovery compliance testing and weekly inspections, and not replacing damaged gasoline dispenser equipment.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Florida installation and service contractor. Fred Rice LLC, 6607 Donlon Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34951, has applied for affiliate division membership in PEI. Fred C. Rice is owner of the firm, which was established in 1994. Sponsored for PEI membership by Michael S. Evans, Envirosafe, Clermont, FL.  

ADMITTED TO PEI

• Global Petroleum Electronic Rebuilders, Wheatridge, CO (mfr)
• Platinum Engineering & Safety, Inc., Clermont, FL (aff)
• Junge Control, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA (aff)
• Petroleum Solutions Ltd., Lagos Island, Nigeria (aff)
• DirAction, LLC, Spring City, PA (aff)
• Officetrax.com, Niagara Falls, NY (aff)

©2007
Petroleum Equipment Institute
P. O. Box 2380
Tulsa, OK 74101-2380

The TulsaLetter (ISSN 0193-9467) is published two or three times each month by the Petroleum Equipment Institute. Robert N. Renkes, Executive Vice President, Editor. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the Editor. Basic circulation confined to PEI members.