EPA tweaks Arizona's gasoline fume rules—yawn.
Published Date: 8/11/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve and conditionally approve revisions to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD or "County") portion of the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from loading organic liquids and gasoline. We are proposing action on local rules to regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or "Act"). We are also proposing to approve and conditionally approve the MCAQD's reasonably available control technology (RACT) demonstration for the source categories associated with these rules for the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) in the Phoenix-Mesa ozone nonattainment area.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual Testing Rule for Big Gas Stations
The EPA is proposing to conditionally approve Maricopa County Rule 353, which requires annual testing of Stage I vapor recovery systems for gasoline dispensing facilities that handle 10,000 gallons or more of gasoline in a month, with testing to be performed by a licensed Arizona Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Services Division representative. The rule also adds reporting requirements for storage tanks with aviation gasoline and is conditionally approved pending ADEQ's commitment to submit the cited Arizona statutes and testing methods into the SIP within one year of the EPA's final action.
Conditional Approval Halts Sanctions Clock
If the EPA finalizes the proposed approvals, the October 8, 2025 versions of Rules 352 and 353 would replace prior SIP versions and the EPA would stop the sanctions clock and Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) obligations that arose from the January 10, 2025 limited disapprovals. ADEQ committed on June 9, 2026 to submit the State's vapor recovery statutes and testing methods into the SIP within one year of the EPA's final action to cure a cited deficiency; failure to meet that commitment would cause the conditional approval to be treated as a disapproval.
Federal Approval of Gasoline Cargo Tank Rule
The EPA is proposing to fully approve Maricopa County Rule 352, which limits volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from gasoline cargo tanks and requires annual vapor-tightness certification tests using the test methods specified in the rule. The rule clarifies that additional leak inspections and vapor tightness determinations will be performed by the County (MCAQD) and includes enforceable recordkeeping by MCAQD.
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Key Dates
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