Stage I Gasoline Vapor Recovery Overview

Gasoline dispensing facilities receive gasoline products in underground storage tanks (UST's) from vapor tight truck tanks.  Pipes and valves interconnecting the UST's and truck tank create a "closed loop" (i.e. Stage I gasoline vapor recovery system).  The Stage I gasoline vapor recovery system collects 96% of the vapors that would have otherwise been emitted to the atmosphere to form ozone, and returns them to the bulk gasoline terminal for processing.

Permit Issuance - New Gasoline Dispensing Facilities

A gasoline dispensing facility projecting to dispense more than 50,000 gallons of gasoline during a calendar year is required to obtain an air quality permit from Mecklenburg County Air Quality prior to beginning construction.  The facility must submit the following:

• Completed S-1 and S-2 application forms
• Zoning Verification Letter
• $100.00 application processing fee (per facility)
• Letter of Confirmation acknowledging construction was completed per the submitted application and issued Permit

Permit Transfer - Ownership/Legal Name Change at an Existing, Permitted Gasoline Dispensing Facility

An existing, permitted gasoline dispensing facility being sold to a new owner or operating under a new, legal name is required to obtain an air quality permit from MCAQ as soon as possible after the sale or name change is completed.  The facility must submit the following:

• Completed S-3(PDF) (WORD) application forms
• $100.00 application processing fee (per facility)

More Information

• US EPA AP-42 Emission Factors
• CARB Vapor Tightness Test Procedure
• Facility Self-Inspection Form
• MCAQ Gasoline Dispensing Facility Inspection Form
• Gasoline Dispensing Facility - Annual Reporting Form
• Site Specific Information - Air Pollution Facility Database