Dear PEI Member:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced December 1 that it
expects to make a final determination in mid-2010 regarding whether to
increase the allowable ethanol content in fuel.In a letter to Growth
Energy―the biofuels trade association that had
asked EPA to allow the use of up to 15 percent
ethanol in gasoline―EPA said "although all of
the studies have not been completed, our engineering assessment to date
indicates that the robust fuel, engine and emissions control systems on
newer vehicles (likely 2001 and newer model years) will likely be able to
accommodate higher ethanol blends, such as E15." EPA went on to say that
"should the test results remain supportive and provide the necessary basis,
we would be in a position to approve E15 for 2001 and newer vehicles in the
mid-year timeframe. Of course, if the data highlight potential problems,
then the decision may need to be delayed until all testing is received and
reviewed."
EPA also announced in the letter that it has begun the process of
crafting the labeling requirements that will be necessary if the blending
limit is raised. There was no mention of petroleum equipment compatibility.
We've posted the
full text of the Growth Energy letter to EPA on our website.
WETLINES LEGISLATION APPROVED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the
Hazardous Material Transportation Safety Act of 2009 (H.R. 4016) on November
19. This legislation contains a section that would address wetlines
(external product piping on cargo tanks). For newly manufactured cargo
tanks, the bill requires the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to
prohibit the transportation of Class 3 flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline) in
wetlines two years after the date of enactment of this Act. The bill allows
the Secretary to authorize any alternative means of compliance for newly
manufactured vehicles if the Secretary determines that the alternative
provides an equivalent level of safety. |
EPA E15 Waiver
Wetlines Legislation
RP Topics Requested
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With respect to the existing
fleet, the bill requires the Secretary to conduct a rulemaking within three
years of the date of enactment regarding the prohibition of transporting
these flammable liquids in wetlines in existing cargo tank trucks. The
rulemaking would take into consideration all of the effects of prohibiting wetlines, including cost, benefits and methods of compliance. The rulemaking
would require notice in the Federal Register and the opportunity for
public comment. The Secretary would establish the deadline for compliance.
The Secretary is also authorized by the bill to extend the date for
compliance with the general rule on a case-by-case basis if it is in the
public interest. However, if a final rule is not in effect within three
years, then a deadline of December 31, 2020, would go into effect.
TOPICS FOR FUTURE RECOMMENDED PRACTICES REQUESTED
PEI is seeking to identify topics that might provide subject matter for
future technical documents. Submitted ideas for recommended practices should
meet all of the following requirements:
- The subject matter involves practices and/or procedures used in the
petroleum equipment industry and serves the greater good of the industry,
- The topic has not been adequately covered in documents produced by
others, and
- The expertise exists among PEI members to write the document.
If there is a topic that you believe PEI should consider developing as a
recommended practice, we would like to hear from you. Email Bob Young (byoung@pei.org)
with your suggestions. Please include the purpose and scope of the proposed
document, along with the intended audience. We will compile the responses
and forward them on to a PEI ad hoc committee for its review and
recommendations.
REGULATORY BRIEFS
Illinois. The state proposes to reorganize and consolidate its existing
underground storage tank (UST) system rules and add some new regulations.
For motor fuel dispensing facilities, the state would increase the maximum
UST size from 20,000 to 30,000 gallons. UST components would have to be
listed for the intended use by a national third party organization. The
state would also allow certification by a licensed professional engineer
or annual inspections by a licensed contractor to substitute for the third
party listing for compatibility purposes for petroleum products only.
Requirements for observation wells for newly installed USTs would be
eliminated. The proposal would phase out the use of tank lining as a method
of corrosion protection by terminating new linings after January 1, 2011,
but allow existing linings to remain so long as they continue to pass
routine lining inspections. The
300+ page
proposal is available on our website.
North Carolina. The state's Program Evaluation Division (PED)
estimates that it will take at least $549 million over 25 years at current
funding levels to complete the cleanup of the commercial tank backlog in the
state. To address the backlog and future cleanup liability in the state, the PED recommends that lawmakers increase funding for the commercial and
noncommercial programs. Implementation of a risk-based system of financial
responsibility for commercial tank owners and cleanup cost sharing by
noncommercial UST owners also was recommended to generate additional
revenue. North Carolina currently does not require noncommercial tanks
owners to have financial responsibility for cleanups.
Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce has prepared a
handy
one-page summary of "significant" aboveground and underground storage tank
upgrade requirements. The deadlines extend from February 1, 2010, to
December 31, 2014.
UST NOTES
ExxonMobil Corp. said October 27 that it is settling 50 lawsuits related
to methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a move that came about a week after a
jury handed down a $105 million verdict against the company in the federal
multi-district litigation over the gasoline additive. Under the settlement
terms, ExxonMobil would pay $17.5 million and, if certain triggering events
occur, take part in the future cleanup of certain MTBE contaminated wells,
in exchange for being released from liability in the lawsuits.
Shell Oil Co. will pay $19.5 million to resolve alleged violations of
California's hazardous waste and underground fuel storage laws under a
stipulated settlement and judgment announced last month. The settlement caps
a statewide three-year investigation into underground storage tank
operations at more than 1,000 of the company's gasoline stations. Shell did
not admit to any liability in the settlement.
BRIEFLY NOTED
Jones & Frank Corp., headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, has
opened a new branch in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, that will serve the
Philadelphia and southern New Jersey markets. Phone numbers for the branch:
(215) 233-2400 or (856) 767-6659.
Mark Barron, president of Petroleum Solutions, Inc. (PSI),
McAllen, Texas, was named to the 5th Annual AGGIE 100, a list of the 100
fastest growing companies in the world owned or operated by a Texas A&M
University former student.
Petroleum Containment, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida, announced that
Petro Energy, Inc., Houston, Texas, will represent the company in
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
A total of 7.2 million cars were sold in China between January and
September, 42 percent more than in the same period of 2008.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
New York distributor. Auster Rubber Co. Inc., 238 North 9th Street,
Brooklyn, New York 11211, has applied for distributor division membership.
Ken Auster is president of the firm, which was established in 1948. The
company distributes petroleum hose and couplings and represents Deighan,
EmcoWheatn, Goodyear, Monoflex, PTCoupling and Thermoid. Sponsored for PEI
membership by Joe Pasternak, FluidHose, Mississauga, Ontario.
Sump sealing kit manufacturer. B & B Enterprises, Inc., 25436 Fallen
Oak, Laguna Niguel, California 92677, has applied for manufacturer division
membership. Belinda Bain is president of the firm, which was established in
2001. The company manufactures sump sealing kits for enhanced vapor recovery
II canisters and sump penetration fittings for aboveground and belowground
fuel storage tanks. The kits are sold through distributors. Sponsored for
PEI membership by Ann Thomas, PtrMktgEqp, Placentia, CA.
www.miraclesumpseal.com
Construction trade licensing organization. International Code
Council, 5460 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, California 91740, has applied for
affiliate division membership. Doug Hatch is the program manager for the
organization, which was established in 1922. The International Code Council is a
membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. It
publishes examinations that underground storage tank contractors take in
order to be certified/licensed to work in a particular jurisdiction.
Sponsored for PEI membership by A. Roy Creley, LakesReg, Belmont, NH.
www.iccsafe.org
California service company. J. B. Dewar Technical Services, P. O. Box
3059, San Luis Obispo, California 93403, has applied for service and
construction division membership. Ed Ward is manager of the firm, which was
established in 2002. The company sells and services fuel and lubricant
equipment. Sponsored for PEI membership by Christopher G. Fasse, B&TSSCon,
Nipomo, CA. www.jbdewar.com
Texas service and maintenance company. C & L Parts, 10981 Perlette,
El Paso, Texas 79927, has applied for service and construction division
membership. Christina Magallanes is owner of the firm, which was established
in 2001. The company provides parts, service and repairs to its customers.
Sponsored for PEI membership by William Reichhold, Wayne, Austin, TX.
ADMITTED TO PEI
- LAFON SAS, Bassens, France (mfr)
- Dencor Controls LLC, Denver, CO (mfr)
- Fleming Reid Petroleum Equipment, Spruce Grove, Alberta (S&C)
- Phoenix Petroleum Ltd., Fredericton, New Brunswick (S&C)
- Specialized Technologies Limited, Flatts, Bermuda (S&C)
- Terry Harrah,Toot'n Totum Food Stores, Amarillo, TX (O&E)
- Randall Thompson, Army Air Force Exchange, Dallas, TX (O&E)
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