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Gasoline Dispensing Facilities: Air Quality Requirements

Gasoline Dispensing Facilities must follow air quality rules to reduce gasoline vapors and protect air quality.

Your requirements depend on:

  • How much fuel is sold each year, known as the throughput.
  • What vapor control equipment the facility has in place.

If you are not sure what requirements apply to you, contact DEQ for help.

A Gasoline Dispensing Facility, or GDF, is a business or site that stores gasoline and dispenses it into vehicles or equipment. Examples include:

  • Gas stations
  • Convenience stores with fuel pumps
  • Cardlock facilities
  • Fleet fueling sites

This page only addresses the air quality requirements for GDFs. For the full definition of a Gasoline Dispensing Facility, see OAR 340-244-0232.

GDFs may also have requirements through DEQ's Underground Storage Tank Program.

Helpful Links:

GDF levels are based on:

  • The size of the gasoline tank
  • How much gasoline is sold each year (throughput)

See the table with a basic summary of requirements​.

The air quality permit and Oregon rules (OAR 340-244) contain the full requirements.

For existing facilities, DEQ uses throughput starting April 1, 2024 to determine GDF levels.​

Requirements ​vary by GDF level and equipment type.

All GDFs must:

  • Minimize spills
  • Clean up spills immediately
  • Keep containers and tank openings closed
  • Do not top off vehicles

Recordkeeping

The permit lists all required record keeping. It may include:

  • Monthly throughput records
  • Maintenance records
  • Records of permanent changes (for example, tank installs or replacements)
  • Repair records
  • Spill cleanup plans
  • Testing records
  • Equipment information

Reporting

The permit lists all required reporting. It may include:

  • Installation notifications
  • Testing notifications
  • Annual reports

Annual reports are typically due February 15.

Testing

Testing requirements depend on equipment. More information is below in the “Testing Requirement" section. 

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The requirements depend on the vapor recovery system at your site.

What is Stage I?

Stage I Vapor Balance systems capture gasoline vapors when fuel is delivered from a fuel truck into gasoline storage tanks.

As gasoline enters the tank, vapors inside are pushed out. Stage I equipment captures the vapor and sends it back to the tanker truck instead of releasing it to the air.

stage 1 vapor recovery

Stage I systems may include:

  • Vapor return equipment (coaxial or dual point systems)
  • Pressure-Vacuum vent valve caps on tank vent lines
  • Dust caps or lids that seal tank openings
  • Poppet valves on dual-point systems

Testing requirements:

Facilities with vapor recovery equipment must complete testing every two years.

Required tests depend on the equipment at the facility and may include:

  • Pressure Decay (PD)
  • Pressure/Vacuum Vent Valve (PV)

​​

Stage II Vapor Recovery systems control vapors while fueling vehicles at the dispensing point.

Oregon is phasing out Stage II systems because newer vehicles already have built-in vapor controls.

If your facility has a Stage II system, equipment upgrades may be required.

Check the permit and DEQ rules before removing or changing vapor recovery equipment.

Stage II systems may include:

  • Vapor recovery nozzles
  • Hoses
  • Vapor piping
  • Vacuum systems​​

Stage 1 Enhanced Vapor Recovery equipment captures more gasoline vapor and reduces emissions.

EVR systems use special certified equipment to help prevent vapor leaks.

Some facilities may need:

  • EVR upgrades
  • ECO nozzles
  • Equipment replacement

Check your permit and DEQ rules for specific requirements.​

​

Facilities that dispense 1,000,000 or more gallons of gasoline each year must install Stage I Enhanced Vapor Recovery and ECO Nozzles.

This must be completed:

  • By December 31, 2029
  • Or within 24 months after becoming GDF 5, whichever is later​​

All new gasoline storage tanks 250 gallons or larger must use dual point Stage I systems.

Dual point systems use:

  • One connection for fuel delivery
  • One connection for vapor return.

Requirements for new facilities depend on actual gasoline throughput.

New GDF 3 facilities
(120,000+ gallons per year)

Required equipment:

  • Stage I Vapor Balance
  • Dual point gasoline storage tanks

New GDF 4 and GDF 5 facilities
(600,000+ gallons per year)

Required equipment:

  • Stage I Enhanced Vapor Recovery (EVR)
  • ECO nozzles
  • Dual point gasoline storage tanks

Before installing equipment:

  • Review DEQ permit requirements
  • Estimate annual gasoline throughput
  • Contact DEQ with questions ​​


Vapor recovery equipment must stay in good working condition and pass required tests.

Need more information?

  • ​Testing Guidance
  • Testing Forms


Do not top off fuel tanks. Stop fueling when the nozzle clicks off.

​don't top off. it's the law

Topping off means continuing to pump fuel after the nozzle automatically shuts off.

Sometimes the nozzle may click off before the tank is full. If this happens, check the fuel gauge before continuing to pump fuel.

When a fuel nozzle clicks off:

  • Stop fueling
  • Do not squeeze the handle again
  • Do not “round up" the dollar amount
  • Do not try to add “just a little more"

Why?

Topping off can:

  • Release gasoline vapors into the air
  • Damage vapor control equipment in the vehicle
  • Cause spills or overfilling
  • Increase exposure to gasoline fumes

Gasoline vapors contain pollutants and chemicals that can affect air quality and health. Vapor recovery systems are designed to work correctly when fueling stops at the proper shutoff point.

Links:

​

Helpful Resources

*The database of tank service providers will not be able to assist with air quality related issues.​

Oregon Administrative Rules

  • OAR 340-244: Oregon Federal Hazardous Air Pollutant Program

See OAR 340-244-0231 through -0252 for GDF rules

Need Help? Not sure what GDF level you are? Have permit questions?

DEQ Air Quality Small Business Assistance
BAP@deq.oregon.gov
503-863-4644 

UST Questions
UST.DutyOfficer@deq.oregon.gov
503-229-5034

Air Quality Permitting
AQ.Permits@deq.oregon.gov

ACDP (Air Contaminant Discharge Permit)
An air quality permit issued by DEQ for facilities that meet certain requirements.

Dual Point Stage I
A Stage I system with separate connections for fuel delivery and vapor return.

ECO Nozzle
A fuel nozzle designed to reduce drippage and gasoline vapor emissions during fueling.

EVR (Enhanced Vapor Recovery)
Equipment that captures more gasoline vapors and reduces emissions.
See OAR 340-244-0246 for more information. Specific Stage I components are certified by California Air Resources Board executive orders.

GDF (Gasoline Dispensing Facility)
A business or site that stores gasoline and dispenses fuel into vehicles and equipment, as defined in OAR 340-244-0232.

LRDT (Leak Rate of Drop Tube Test)
A test used to determine whether a drop tube is leaking.

ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery)
Vapor control equipment already built into many newer vehicles.

PD Test (Pressure Decay test)
A test used to determine whether a gasoline storage tank, piping, and associated equipment has leaks beyond compliant levels.

PV Test (Pressure/Vacuum Vent Valve test)
A test used to determine if gasoline storage tank vent valves are opening at correct pressure and vacuum levels to reduce vapor losses.

Single Point (Coaxial) Stage I
A Stage I system that combines fuel delivery and vapor return into one connection. A large hose carries liquid fuel from the tanker truck into the storage tank, and a smaller inner hose returns gasoline vapor back to the truck.

Stage I Vapor Balance
Equipment that captures gasoline vapors during fuel delivery into storage tanks.

Stage II Vapor Recovery
Equipment that captures gasoline vapors during vehicle fueling at the dispenser.

STT Test (Static Torque Test)
A test used to verify that in-ground swivel adaptors are installed and operating correctly.

Submerged Fill
A method for adding fuel to a storage tank where gasoline enters below the fuel level inside the tank to reduce splashing and creating vapor.

Throughput
The amount of gasoline dispensed from, or loaded into, gasoline storage tanks annually. Records should be kept monthly and totaled each year. Annual throughput determines your GDF level and requirements.

UST (Underground Storage Tank)
A tank and connected piping located underground that stores fuel.

Vapor Recovery System
Equipment that captures gasoline vapor and prevents it from being released to the air.​​