The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) has scheduled a meeting to discuss the potential impact of a federal mandate for vapor recovery in the transport of volatile organic chemicals. The one-day meeting will begin at 10 am, September 13, at the Ramada Plaza O'Hare Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.
"This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plan would impact cargo tank and component manufacturers, shippers, consignees, and carriers," says Cliff Harvison, NTTC president. "The purpose of the meeting is to familiarize all parties with the potential scope of the regulations, and to develop a consensus around a draft Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) Recommended Practice on this subject. We have coordinated with the TTMA and the American Chemistry Council to schedule this meeting."
A federal vapor recovery requirement probably would mandate retrofitting hardware on existing MC307/DOT407 and MC312/DOT412 cargo tanks, according to Harvison.
He pointed out that when vapor recovery was introduced into the petroleum transportation sector, carriers experienced customers requiring many different adaptors, hose, and fitting sizes. Placement of equipment on vehicles and racks varied, as well.
"This lack of uniformity caused considerable waste and inefficiencies," says Harvison. "Our objective is to avoid repeating that scenario. While EPA has not yet published the final version of its regulations, we are aware that it is in the final stages of clearance prior to publication."
For more information, contact National Tank Truck Carriers at: telephone, (703)838-1960; fax, (703)684-5753; or e-mail [email protected].