Better environmental legislation for Scottish petrol stations

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is set to introduce a new Petrol vapour Recovery (PVR) standard as a legislative requirement in Scotland from the start of 2012.

Plans for the PVR, which captures petrol vapours released into the environment from larger petrol stations, is a continuation from the 2010 consultation on the principles for delivering better environmental regulation. It will enforce the statutory obligations (e.g. General Binding Rules), notifications and registrations that were well supported by respondents in the consultation.

The proposed rules will only apply to larger petrol stations. For example, PVR Stage II, which is the petrol recovery for the refuelling of motor vehicles, will only apply to stations with an annual petrol throughput of 3,500 cu m or more. Deliveries of petrol will also not be effected by the new measures. 

The standard rules are expected to reduce the ‘regulatory burden’ on business, providing a ‘proportionate, risk based approach that will drive environmental improvements and reward good performance, while still providing reassurance that tough action will be taken against those who fail to meet acceptable standards.’ 

Posted by Joseph Hutton