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Dept of the Environment

Answer

Sir Kenneth Carlisle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in response to the 1995 recommendation by the Environment Committee concerning the introducing of petrol vapour recovery for vehicle refuelling (Stage II). [20114] Mr. Clappison: In response to a recommendation from the House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment, we undertook to consider the case for implementation of the stage II petrol vapour recovery system at service stations once the results of further research into its costs were available. Stage II is designed to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds. These can be harmful in their own right and also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone which can have adverse effects on human health and on the environment. Research has demonstrated that stage II offers better value for money than alternative methods for reducing emissions arising from vehicle refuelling at petrol stations. Stage II also compares favourably with abatement techniques used in other industry sectors. The Government therefore intend to consult later this year on proposals for the introduction of stage II controls at certain petrol stations. In so doing, we shall be seeking to involve the petroleum industry and other interested parties as fully as possible. The final adoption of the proposals will be based on consideration of the overall costs and benefits. Our research has shown that the cost per tonne of volatile organic compounds abated rises rapidly at smaller stations and this will obviously influence our proposals. We are particularly aware of the need to avoid imposing any necessary costs and regulatory burdens on small stations, especially those in rural areas where availability of supply can be a problem. Preliminary research undertaken for my Department has shown that evaporative emissions during vehicle refuelling may also contribute to ambient levels of benzene around some petrol stations which exceed the proposed national air quality standard. Over the coming year, we shall be carrying out further research to evaluate the extent of this problem and to consider the potential abatement options.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

20114; 292 c122-3W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Air pollution Garages and petrol stations Pollution control Petrol Research Volatile organic compounds