Relates to reduction of air pollution from petroleum bulk storage facilities

• Democratic3

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Pete Harckham says this is needed

Petroleum bulk storage facilities around New York State contribute significantly to hazardous air pollution. Many of these facilities are near residential communities, including a number of low income and minority communities. Petroleum bulk storage tanks emit hazardous air pollutants (1), includ- ing benzene, a known human carcinogen, (2) through evaporation loss. Evaporation loss occurs when molecules from a stored liquid form a vapor in the space above the liquid and escape into the atmosphere.(3) The rate of evaporation loss increases in the presence of two factors: heat and vapor pressure.(4) The external paint color of a petroleum bulk storage tank significantly affects the temperature of the tank's metal.(5) Dark-colored paints have high absorptivity rates and cause metal tanks to retain heat from sunlight whereas white, light-colored, and reflective paints with low absorptivity rates reduce tank heating by minimizing sunlight absorp- tion.(6) Studies have shown a nearly 300% decrease in evaporation losses where tanks are painted with a minimally absorptive paint color.(7) In 2022, Chapter 505 New York State required all above-ground petroleum storage tanks be painted white or beige to minimize sunlight absorption and, ultimately, the emission of hazardous air pollutants. This legislation allows room for other light colors that limit volatile emissions in the same levels of white or beige.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.