UST Training Resources

Basic Underground Storage Tank (UST) Info

In 1985, EPA created the Office of Underground Storage Tanks to carry out a Congressional mandate to develop and implement a regulatory program for underground storage tank (UST) systems. EPA works with its state, territorial, and tribal partners to prevent and clean up releases from UST systems. For the legislative history of the UST program, see “What Is The History Of The Federal Underground Storage Tank Program?”

What Is An Underground Storage Tank System?
An underground storage tank system is a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10 percent of its combined volume underground. The federal UST regulations apply to only underground tanks and piping storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances.

Who Implements The UST Program?
The underground storage tank program is primarily implemented by states and territories. Your first point of contact is the state or territorial regulatory agency that has jurisdiction where the USTs are physically located. See state and territorial UST program offices for a list of contacts.

If you have a question that involves USTs in Indian Country, contact your EPA regional office. EPA has responsibility for, and authority over, USTs in Indian Country.

How Do Underground Storage Tanks Affect Groundwater?
Leaking underground storage tank systems pose a significant threat to groundwater quality in the United States. It has been reported that groundwater supplies drinking water to approximately 50 percent of the nation’s overall population and 99 percent of the population in rural areas. The following resources provide information about underground storage tanks and groundwater.

EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment
2008 report about recent trends in human health and the environment

• Chapter 3: Water (PDF) (66 pp, 5.1MB, About PDF) Section 3.3.1

National Water Quality Inventory 2000 Report
2000 report prepared under Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act. See Chapter 6 for information about ground water quality and underground storage tanks.

The Ground Water Report to the Nation: A Call to Action (PDF)  (164 pp, 15.7MB, About PDF)
2007 report from the Ground Water Protection Council. Section 7 addresses groundwater and underground storage tanks.

 

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EPA Minimum Training Requirements

The EPA established the following minimum training requirements for designated UST Class A, Class B, and Class C operators. All operators must be trained by October 13, 2018. After this date, new Class A and Class B operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming duties. Class C operators must be trained before assuming duties.

Class A operators – Each designated Class A operator must either be trained or pass a comparable examination that provides general knowledge of the following requirements:

• Spill and overfill prevention
• Release detection
• Corrosion protection
• Emergency response
• Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration
• Financial responsibility
• Notification and storage tank registration
• Temporary and permanent closure
• Related reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections
• Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases
• Training requirements for Class B and Class C operators

At a minimum, the training program must evaluate Class A operators to determine if they have the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding compliance and determine whether appropriate individuals are fulfilling the operation, maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements for UST systems.

Class B operators – Each designated Class B operator must either be trained or pass an examination about the regulatory requirements and typical equipment used at UST facilities; or site-specific requirements which address only the regulatory requirements and equipment specific to the facility:

• Operation and maintenance
• Spill and overfill prevention
• Release detection and related reporting
• Corrosion protection
• Emergency response
• Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration
• Reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections
• Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases
• Training requirements for Class C operators

At a minimum, the training program must evaluate Class B operators to determine if they have the knowledge and skills to implement applicable UST regulatory requirements on the components of either: typical UST systems or site-specific equipment used at their UST facility.

Class C operators – Each designated Class C operator must either: be trained by a Class A or Class B operator; complete a training program; or pass a comparable examination. The training option chosen must teach or evaluate the Class C operator's knowledge to take appropriate actions (including notifying appropriate authorities) in response to emergencies or alarms caused by spills or releases resulting from the operation of the UST system.

The Training Program

Training Requirments – This term covers the minimum requirements listed for the classes of operators described above and includes an evaluation through testing, a practical demonstration, or another approach acceptable to the implementing agency. A comparable examination must, at a minimum, test the knowledge of the Class A, Class B, or Class C operators in accordance with the requirements for each class listed above.

Retraining – Class A and B operators at UST systems determined to be out of compliance must be retrained within 30 days of the determination of noncompliance. For retraining, the training program or comparable examination must be developed or administered by an independent organization, the implementing agency, or a recognized authority. Retraining must, at a minimum, cover those areas found to be out of compliance. Retraining is not required if:

• Class A and B operators take annual refresher training.
• The implementing agency waives retraining.

Records – Owners and operators must maintain a record identifying all currently designated operators at the facility. The record must include the operator name, operator class, date assumed duties, and training or retraining dates. In addition, owners and operators must have records verifying completion of training or retraining. This record must have the trainee name, date trained, operator training class completed, name of training company or examiner, and the training company’s name, address and telephone number.

 

References:

• 1988 Regulations Pertaining To Underground Storage Tanks
• Code of Federal Regulations: The federal regulations concerning underground storage tanks (USTs) are contained in 40 CFR Part 280, 40 CFR Part 281, and 40 CFR Parts 282.50-282.105. The list of hazardous substances is in 40 CFR Part 302.4.
• Revising Underground Storage Tank Regulations – Revisions to Existing Requirements and New Requirements for Secondary Containment and Operator Training final rule published in the Federal Register (PDF) (119 pp, 1.5MB) on July 15, 2015.
• EPA - 2015 Revised Underground Storage Tank Regulations
• The Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) recently published a summary of the new EPA UST rules.

UST Systems Regional Areas

With the exception of UST systems located on Indian Lands, states have the primary authority to implement the UST program within their boundaries. For the latest information on the status of the UST programs in the states, click the applicable state or region:

Region 1 – comprised of the states Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Region 2 – comprised of the states New Jersey, New York, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Region 3 – comprised of the states Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Region 4 – comprised of the states Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Region 5 – comprised of the states Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Region 6 – comprised of the states Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Region 7 – comprised of the states Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

Region 8 – comprised of the states Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Region 9 – comprised of the states Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the territories of Guam and American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Region 10 – comprised of the states Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.