Stage I vapor recovery systems prevent gasoline fumes from escaping into the air during fuel deliveries to service stations and fueling of vehicles.
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- This page, MassDEP Stage I Vapor Recovery Program, is offered by
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
MassDEP Stage I Vapor Recovery Program
Table of Contents
News & Updates
December 2022
MassDEP adopted revisions to 310 CMR 7.24(3): Distribution of Motor Vehicle Fuel effective December 23, 2022. These revisions pertain only to updates to the list of California Air Resources Board (CARB) Stage I enhanced vapor recovery (EVR) systems and components approved for installation in Massachusetts. See the list in Tables 1&2 at 310 CMR 7.24(3)c.(1).
• 310 CMR 7.24(3): Adopted Stage I Enhanced Vapor Recovery Amendments
July 2022
MassDEP reminded Stage I facilities that to dispense gasoline and/or gasoline/alcohol fuel blends they are required to:
- Install on or before January 2, 2023 Stage I enhanced vapor recovery (EVR) equipment approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and
- Replace pre-EVR "slip-on" spill buckets with EVR spill buckets if the pre-EVR "slip-on" buckets need to be repaired or replaced after January 2, 2023.
These facilities should schedule all necessary upgrade and testing work as soon as possible. See the regulations at 310 CMR 7.24(3) for details.
The EVR upgrade requirement does not apply to equipment that dispenses diesel, heating oil, or other low-volatility fuels.
Additional Resources for News & Updates
Open PDF file, 187.93 KB,
Stage I Vapor Recovery Enforcement Discretion Directive, October 2021
(English, PDF 187.93 KB)
MassDEP Regulations & Policies
MassDEP most recently amended 310 CMR 7.24(3): Stage I Vapor Recovery regulation in December 2022. See Additional Resources below for:
- The final amendments (showing changes from the public comment draft), and
- A fact sheet summarizing the amendments, including what changed and what remained the same.
Note: Only Stage I (Phase I) vapor recovery systems approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are allowable in Massachusetts.
Additional Resources for MassDEP Regulations & Policies
Open PDF file, 100.12 KB,
Fact Sheet: December 2022 Revised Stage I Regulation
(English, PDF 100.12 KB)
Open PDF file, 37.62 KB,
Fact Sheet: January 2015 Revised Stage I & II Regulation
(English, PDF 37.62 KB)
Stage I System Installation, Certification & Closure
See Key Actions below for all Stage I forms, including those for system installation and modification; annual in-use certification; change in owner, lessee, operator or controller; system closure; and testing company documentation.
To learn more about annual in-use certifications, see Additional Resources below for a Fact Sheet and a listing of individual facilities' due dates.
Key Actions for Stage I System Installation, Certification & Closure
Additional Resources for Stage I System Installation, Certification & Closure
Open PDF file, 625.49 KB,
Presentation: New Requirements for Stage I System Owner/Operators
(English, PDF 625.49 KB)
Open PDF file, 180.5 KB,
Fact Sheet: Complying with Stage I Certification Requirements
(English, PDF 180.5 KB)
Stage I Guidance & Checklists
See Additional Resources below for guidance to follow and a checklist to use when performing weekly compliance inspections of Stage I vapor recovery systems.
A list of Stage I testing companies operating in Massachusetts is available here.
Additional Resources for Stage I Guidance & Checklists
Open PDF file, 625.49 KB,
Presentation: New Requirements for Stage I System Owner/Operators
(English, PDF 625.49 KB)
Open PDF file, 1.72 MB,
Weekly Inspection & Compliance Guidance: Stage I Systems
(English, PDF 1.72 MB)
Open PDF file, 70.71 KB,
Weekly Inspection Checklist: Stage I Systems
(English, PDF 70.71 KB)
Stage I Testing Companies
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection does not certify Stage I testing companies. Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement of any company by MassDEP or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Last updated in February 2022.
| Advanced Tank Testing P.O. Box 385 South Deerfield, MA 01373 (413) 665-8300 |
Dependable Petroleum Service 1 Roberts Road Plymouth, MA 02362 (800) 322-0360 |
NEXTEST |
| Biermann Services Inc. 77 Fuller Road Chicopee, MA 01020 (413) 592-7725 |
ELO2 Inc. 48 Plainfield Pike Foster, RI 02825 (508) 381-0745 |
P.M. Environmental Inc. P.O. Box 1282 Marshfield, MA 02050 (978) 526-8255 |
| CCMI 25 West State Street Granby, MA 01033 (413) 467-1124 |
Fletchers Inspection & Service 84 Emerson St. Fall River, MA 02720 (857) 891-4931 |
Petroleum Equipment Service (Wildco) 1376 West Central Street #110 Franklin, MA 02038 (866) 244-4724 |
| Commtank, Inc. 84 New Salem Street Wakefield, MA 01880 (617) 628-8260 |
FRC Compliance Services LLC 41 Pierce Road Rockland, MA 02370 (781) 424-4589 |
Roy Petroleum LLC P.O. Box 738 Goffstown, NH 03045 (413) 627-2577 |
| Compliance Solutions Inc. P.O. Box 431 Rochdale, MA 01542 (508) 509-8971 |
Gaftek LLC 155 Memorial Drive Building 4, Unit D Shrewsbury, MA 01545 (888) 485-5731 |
Tanknology 520 Fellowship Road #A-110 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (800) 666-1215 |
| Compliance Testing Services P.O. Box 715 N. Dighton, MA 02764 (774) 872-5151 |
Lemelin Environmental Services, Inc. |
Valley Tank Testing |
| Crompco LLC 1815 Gallagher Road Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 (800) 646-3161 |
Mass Tank Inspection Services LLC 29 Abbey Lane Middleboro, MA 02346(508) 923-3445 |
Stage II System Decommissioning
MassDEP promulgated regulations in 2015 that required the decommissioning of all Stage II systems and specific enhancements to all Stage I systems by January 2, 2017.
See Key Actions below for related forms and Additional Resources below for an FAQ about the Stage II decommissioning requirement.
Key Actions for Stage II System Decommissioning
Additional Resources for Stage II System Decommissioning
Open PDF file, 61.09 KB,
Frequently Asked Questions: Decommissioning Stage II Systems
(English, PDF 61.09 KB)