"As chairman of the Air Resources Board, I share the concerns expressed by the governor and the legislature in enforcement of California's Enhanced Vapor Recovery Rule in light of the current economic situation," Nichols said. "While ARB adopted this regulation [image-nocss] in 2000, the 35 local air districts in the state are responsible for enforcing compliance with the rule. As such, I directed executive officer James Goldstene to urge the districts to exercise their enforcement authority with discretion and restraint."
As of March 31, 80% of the 11,000 stations throughout the state had either complied with the regulation or had applied for a permit to do so. ARB experts estimate that the retrofits will cost approximately $11,000 per pump.
The required improved nozzles and vapor processors will eliminate the daily release of up to 10 tons of smog-forming compounds from spillage and fugitive emissions, CARB said, the equivalent of taking 450,000 cars off the road.
The requirements will be enforced by personnel from the 35 air districts throughout the state and apply to gasoline-dispensing facilities in regions that fail to meet federal ozone standards, including the Los Angeles basin, Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, greater Sacramento region and San Diego.
Officials expect that some businesses may miss the compliance date and are encouraging them to contact local air district representatives as soon as possible to work on a plan for compliance. If they can show a good faith effort in reaching compliance they may avoid fines, said CARB.
It added that facility operators should contact their local air district for specific requirements before modifying facilities. Information to assist station owners is also available at www.evrhome.org.
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