Over the past few years, convenience stores have evolved from “one-stop-shops for buying snacks and drink for a road trip” to small retail businesses that stock a wide variety of everyday products. However, it has led to an increase in competition as the market is flooded with more players. Therefore, modern c-stores need to provide excellent customer experience and value-added services to survive the hyper-competitive niche.
UPCOMING DEADLINE TO DECOMMISSION MOST VACUUM ASSIST PHASE II VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEMS
This advisory affects owners and operators of gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) constructed before November 9, 2017 with Phase II (Stage II) vapor recovery system not compatible with Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery are affected and must be decommissioned by December 23, 2020.
If you own or operate a non-compatible Phase II system, you have the option of 1) upgrading the system to be compatible with onboard refueling vapor recovery; or 2) follow the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:27-16.3(h) to properly decommission your Phase II system.
Anyone who will be decommissioning their Phase II system, should be aware of the following general list of items that can help achieve compliance, but please note this is not the complete list of requirements.
Decommissioning activities must be performed by a NJDEP licensed UST contractor, certified in the category of Installation – Entire, or Closure.
Follow the Petroleum Equipment Institute’s Recommended Practices in PEI RP300.
At least fourteen (14) days prior to beginning work, send an email to 14dayUSTnotice@dep.nj.gov listing the responsible parties’ names, a description of the work being performed, start date, facility address, and program interest ID (aka UST registration) number.
Once the decommissioning is complete, within 14 days a follow up email with post-work testing and the completed PEI RP300 checklist is to be sent to the same email address (14dayUSTnotice@dep.nj.gov).
The owner and operator will need to apply for a new Air General Permit 004B for Phase I only systems no later than 30 days after completing the decommissioning.
Please note this advisory is intended to be a summary explanation of department requirements. It does not include all potentially applicable requirements. If you have any questions related to compliance, please contact an Enforcement number listed above.
The lighting of your gas station can play a substantial role in attracting more customers and retaining them. No one likes to visit a poorly lit gas station, especially at night, mainly due to security purposes. The good news is that you can prevent that from happening and illuminate your gas station by making a few upgrades.
Most people in the US are dependent on their cars for getting around, which makes the gas station business a lucrative choice. However, surviving and thriving in this 112 billion USD industry is easier said than done, as gas station owners face many issues in day-to-day operations.
Over the years, underground storage tank (UST) leaks and spills accidents at gas stations have led to environmental damage to soil and groundwater, while also necessitating costly cleanups.
If we had a nickel for every time we highlighted the importance of EMV adoption for gas stations; we’d save enough money to fund a complete EMV-enabled POS and fuel station system. Perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but what’s accurate and correct is that the EMV deadline is looming as we’re a month shy from entering 2021.
In the past few months, we witnessed companies and firms operating in every industry vertical adapt and change their practices due to the global pandemic. Gas stations and convenience stores are among the businesses that have played a critical role in helping people move around and get supplies amidst the lockdown and social distancing.