Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels - Including Petroleum Storage Vessels: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

On this page:

• Rule Summary
• Rule History
• Additional Resources

Rule Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized amendments to update and strengthen the new source performance standards (NSPS) for volatile organic liquid storage vessels (including petroleum liquid storage vessels). These amendments will further reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs. The final amendments fulfill EPA’s responsibility under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to periodically review emission standards to reflect developments in pollution control technologies and techniques. The amendments establish more protective standards for VOC emissions from storage vessels, including floating roof storage vessel and storage vessel that utilized closed vent systems and control. 

This also creates a new section of the regulation known as Subpart Kc and helps fulfill EPA’s technology review obligations under the CAA and the Environmental Integrity Project v. EPA court-ordered consent decree.

Originally promulgated in 1987, the Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) for which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification Commenced after July 23, 1984, is applicable to large storage vessels, which store volatile organic liquids across a variety of industries, such as petroleum refineries, chemical plants and portions of the oil and gas industry.

Rule History

October 15, 2024 - New Source Performance Standards for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels)

November 21, 2023 - Extension of Public Comment Period: Proposed NSPS for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels

October 24, 2023 - EPA held an informational webinar to provide an overview of the proposed rule and how to effectively engage in the regulatory process. 

• Webinar Slides: Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels Proposed Rulemaking (pdf) (1.86 MB)
• Proposed Rule Webinar Recording

October 4, 2023 - Proposed Rule: New Source Performance Standards Review for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels)

• Proposed Regulatory Text: Subpart Kb Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) for Which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification Commenced After July 23, 1984 and on or Before [ (pdf) (310.28 KB)
• Proposed Regulatory Text: Subpart Kc Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) for Which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification Commenced After [THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE (pdf) (407.5 KB)

July 19, 2021 -​​​​​​ ​ AMEL approval for Rohm and Haas Chemicals LLC 

February 8, 2021 - Notice and request for comments for Approval of Alternative Means of Emission Limitation - Rohm and Haas Chemicals LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company 

January 19, 2021 - Final amendments to the Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) for Which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification Commenced After July 23, 1984.

October 16, 2020 - Proposed Amendments to the Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels)

April 8, 1987 - Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) for Which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification Commenced After July 23, 1984 (PDF)

Additional Resources

Fact Sheet: Final Rule New Source Performance Standards for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) (pdf) (225.65 KB)

Fact Sheet: Proposed Rule for New Source Performance Standards Review for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) (pdf) (178.69 KB)

Fact Sheet: Final amendments to the Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels) for Which Construction, Reconstruction, or Modification Commenced After July 23, 1984.

Fact Sheet: Request for an Alternative Means of Emission Limitation at Rohm and Haas Chemicals LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow)

Fact Sheet:  Proposed Amendments to the Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels (Including Petroleum Liquid Storage Vessels)