EPA has issued final amendments to standards of performance for equipment leaks of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in synthetic organic chemicals manufacturing industry (SOCMI) and in petroleum refineries.   For SOCMI, the amendments apply to affected facilities that are constructed, reconstructed or modified after January 5, 1981 and on or before November 7, 2006.   For petroleum refineries, these same dates are January 4, 1983 and November 7, 2006, respectively.  EPA also issued new standards for SOCMI and petroleum industry for facilities constructed, reconstructed or modified after November 7, 2006.  

 The standards of performance for equipment leaks of VOCs in SOCMI is codified as 40 CFR part 60, subpart VV, and standards of performance for equipment leaks for petroleum refineries is codified as 40 CFR part 60 subparts GGG.  Subparts VVa and GGGa are for SOCMI and refinery facilities, respectively, constructed, reconstructed or modified after November 7.  Cross-reference rules include 40 CFR part 60 subparts DDD and KKK.   Amendments include:

• For subpart VV, additional compliance options, clarifications to ambiguous provisions, and technical corrections;

• For subpart GGG, clarifications to headers, technical corrections to fix references and miscellaneous errors, and definition of "asphalt".

• For subpart VVa, lower leak definitions for pumps and valves, monitoring requirements for connectors, and additional recordkeeping requirements and quality assurance measures;

• For subpart GGGa, references to subpart VV, except for connectors.