LARGER VAPOR RECOVER UNITS ORDERED FOR AUTOS

A federal appeals court has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to require larger gasoline vapor recovery canisters on U.S. autos. The action may relieve gasoline marketers of the requirement that they eventually install costly Stage II vapor recovery systems at service stations.

Feb. 2, 1993

2 min read

A federal appeals court has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to require larger gasoline vapor recovery canisters on U.S. autos.

The action may relieve gasoline marketers of the requirement that they eventually install costly Stage II vapor recovery systems at service stations.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled EPA must issue rules for larger on board canisters in new cars. The court said the Clean Air Act clearly requires EPA to issue a canister rule. Further, the court said, EPA lacks data to back up its assertions that larger canisters would present safety risks.

EPA has estimated larger canisters would cost the auto industry about $20/car, which would be offset by increased fuel economy.

The ruling reversed a decision former President Bush made 4 days before the Michigan Republican primary last March (OGJ, Mar. 16, 1992, p. 31).

The appeals court decision, if not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, will open the door for EPA to waive Stage II requirements for about 30 moderate nonattainment urban areas.

The 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) amendments also give EPA the discretion to waive Stage II requirements for other areas.

Meanwhile, in the final hours of the Bush administration, EPA issued a final rule requiring changes in canisters for 1996 model year cars and light trucks to better capture vapors resulting from short trips,

It requires slightly larger canisters and an improved system for routing vapors to the engine, adding $10-13 to the price of a new vehicle.