Division of Air and Waste Management

Introduction

Lightering is the process where the draft of large ocean going vessels is reduced by bulk transfer of cargo (usually crude oil) from the ocean going vessel to smaller service vessels.  This reduction in draft is necessary for the ocean going vessel to be able to proceed upriver. 

In 2002, more than 1,836 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were emitted during lightering operations in the Delaware River and Bay.  Lightering represents the single, largest VOC point source listed amongst the 131 point sources in Delaware’s 2002 Emissions Inventory.  Up to 13 tons of VOCs are emitted during a single lightering operation.  Some of the VOCs emitted during lightering operations are also classified as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).  It was estimated that in 2002, nearly 200 tons of HAPs were emitted during lightering operations.  These HAPs included benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzene, and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).  The emissions of HAPs will also be reduced under this planned amendment.

This regulatory action will achieve significant reductions of VOCs (an ozone precursor) and HAPs.

Final Regulation

• Final Regulation  Effective May 11, 2007

Currently Proposed Regulation and Public Hearing

• November 1, 2006 Delaware Register of Regulations
  • Proposed Amendment
  • Final Secretary's Order Withdrawing August 1, 2001 Proposed Regulation
  • Public Hearing Notice
• Proposed Amendment submitted to the Delaware Register of Regulations
• Public Hearing Notice submitted to the Delaware Register of Regulations
• Related Information
  • Withdrawl of August 1, 2001 Proposed Regulation

Regulatory Workgroup Meetings

• August 4, 2006 Workgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • Agenda
  • Subgroup Draft Language
  • Meeting Notes
• March 13, 2006 Subgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • 3rd Subgroup Draft for Review
  • Meeting Notes
• February 13, 2006 Subgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • 2nd Subgroup Draft for Review
  • Meeting Notes
  • Comments on Second Draft
• September 9, 2005 Subgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • Meeting Notes
• July 12, 2005 Subgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • Initial Subgroup Draft for Review
  • Comments on Initial Draft
• June 3, 2005 Workgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Notes
• May 2, 2005 Workgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Notes
• March 21, 2005 Workgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Notes
• February 25, 2005  Workgroup Meeting Meeting cancelled due to snow
  • Public Notice
  • Agenda
• January 7, 2005 Workgroup Meeting
  • Public Notice
  • Agenda
• November 30, 2004 Workgroup Meeting Meeting Cancelled due to Athos I incident
  • Public Notice
  • Agenda
  • 2001 Proposed Language

SAN

For information regarding Regulation No. 1124 (Section 46.0) please contact:
Jim Snead
715 Grantham Lane 
New Castle, DE 19720
Main line – (302) 323-4542
Fax line – (302) 323-4598

Email: james.snead@state.de.us

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Other Information

• A Video of Crude Oil Lightering **Please note this file is quite large (22Mb) so downloads and viewing times may be slow.

For information regarding the video please contact:
Bruce Steltzer
715 Grantham Lane 
New Castle, DE 19720
Main line – (302) 323-4542
Fax line – (302) 323-4598

Email: bruce.steltzer@state.de.us