Air Rules by Location & Throughput

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State of Tennessee Air Pollution Control Permit Options

On August 15, 2017, the Division of Air Pollution Control implemented Permit-by-Rule for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities. To find out more about Permit-by-Rule, go to the SBEAP Permit-by-Rule webpage or webpages for Permit and Notification Information for either New or Existing Facilities (see links to the left).  

Revisions to the State Rule Effective July 14th, 2016**

On July 14, 2016, revisions to the State of TN rule for Stage I and II Vapor recovery will take effect. Primarily, these revisions make the State rule  more similar to the Federal GDF rule. It will also remove the requirement for Stage II Vapor Recovery within Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson Counties. Davidson County is a local air program and as such will be developing their own rule revision separately. After July 14, 2016, Stage II will no longer be required to be installed in new GDFs by the State of TN. Existing Stage II systems should be decommissioned by July 14, 2019, using the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) guidance, “Recommended Practices for Installation and Testing of Vapor Recovery Systems at Vehicle Fueling Sites, PEI/RP300-09/”. 

Air rules apply to both aboveground and underground storage tanks. Below is a simple summary of what air rules affect you based on your location and your monthly throughput. See the sections of this web page for more information about the different parts of the air rules. Also, the TN GDF Compliance Guidance has a detailed breakdown of requirements and information that is designed to help with staying in compliance.

Air Rules by Location:

  • If you are in in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, or Shelby Counties, you should contact the local air control program for that county’s air rules. Do not contact the State APC. All information on air rules on this page relate to the State of TN Air Pollution Control and may be incorrect for facilities located in a local air program.
  • If you are in Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, or Wilson County, Stage II rules in the State GDF rules apply to you. Decommissioning of Stage II is required to be completed between July 14, 2016, and July 14, 2019. Until Stage II systems are decommissioned, they should be maintained and tested as previously.
  • If you are in Anderson, Blount, Carter, Cheatham, Dickson, Fayette, Hawkins, Haywood, Jefferson, Loudon, Marion, Meigs, Montgomery, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Sevier, Sullivan, Sumner, Tipton, Unicoi, Union, Washington County, Williamson, or Wilson County, particular requirements in the State GDF rules apply to you at a different throughput threshold than other counties. Stage I is required in these counties at a monthly throughput of 10,000 gallons/month or greater.
  • If you are in any other county in TN not listed above, the State GDF rule applies to you at the same throughput threshold as the Federal GDF rule (40 CFR 63 Subpart CCCCCC).

Air Rules by Monthly Throughput:

  • Under 10,000 gallons per month:
    • You need to apply for a State of TN construction or operating permit (New or Existing Facility) or submit a Notice of Intent for Permit-by-Rule.
    • In a county listed above:
      • Best management practices and recordkeeping.
      • Submerged fill.
    • If affected by the State Stage II rules:
      • Best management practices and recordkeeping.
      • Submerged fill.
  • 10,000 gallons per month or more and under 100,000 gallons per month:
    • You need to apply for a State of TN construction or operating permit (New or Existing Facility) or submit a Notice of Intent for Permit-by-Rule.
    • You need to submit an Initial Notification (Existing Facility that has not been previously permitted or has increased monthly throughput) and/or a Notification of Compliance Status (New or Existing Facility).
    • Not in a specified county listed above:
      • Best management practices and recordkeeping.
      • Submerged fill.
    • In a county listed above:
      • Best management practices and recordkeeping.
      • Submerged fill.
      • Stage I vapor recovery system installed.
    • If affected by the State Stage II rules:
      • Best management practices and recordkeeping.
      • Submerged fill.
      • Stage I vapor recovery system installed.
      • Stage II vapor recovery system installed. Test every 5 years.
      • No new Stage II vapor recovery systems should be installed following July 14, 2016.
      • Decommission existing Stage II vapor recovery  by July 14, 2019.
  • Over 100,000 gallons per month:
    • You need to apply for a State of TN construction or operating permit (New or Existing Facility) or submit a Notice of Intent for Permit-by-Rule.
    • You need to submit an Initial Notification (Existing Facility that has not been previously permitted or has increased monthly throughput) and/or a Notification of Compliance Status (New or Existing Facility).
    • Rule requirements:
      • Best management practices and recordkeeping.
      • Submerged fill.
      • Stage I vapor control system installed. Test every 3 years.
    • If affected by the State Stage II rules:
      • Best management practices and recordkeeping.
      • Submerged fill.
      • Stage I vapor control system installed. Test every 3 years.
      • Stage II vapor control system installed. Test every 5 years.
      • No new Stage II vapor recovery systems should be installed following July 14, 2016.
      • Decommission existing Stage II vapor recovery  by July 14, 2019.