• Rule Summary
• Rule History
• Additional Resources
• Compliance

Rule Summary

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.In the July 15, 2015  Federal Register (PDF)(119 pp, 1.5 MB), EPA published the 2015 underground storage tank regulation and the 2015 state program approval regulation. The revisions strengthen the 1988 federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations by increasing emphasis on properly operating and maintaining UST equipment. The revisions will help prevent and detect UST releases, which are a leading source of groundwater contamination. The revisions will also help ensure all USTs in the United States, including those in Indian country, meet the same minimum standards. This is the first major revision to the federal UST regulations since 1988.

The 2015 UST regulation changes certain portions of the 1988 underground storage tank technical regulation in 40 CFR part 280. The changes establish federal requirements that are similar to key portions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition, EPA added new operation and maintenance requirements and addressed UST systems deferred in the 1988 UST regulation. The changes include:

• Adding secondary containment requirements for new and replaced tanks and piping
• Adding operator training requirements
• Adding periodic operation and maintenance requirements for UST systems
• Adding requirements to ensure UST system compatibility before storing certain biofuel blends
• Removing past deferrals for emergency generator tanks, airport hydrant systems, and field-constructed tanks
• Updating codes of practice
• Making editorial and technical corrections

The 2015 state program approval (SPA) regulation also updates SPA requirements in 40 CFR part 281 and incorporates the changes to the UST technical regulation listed above.

• 38 SPA states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico currently have SPA and have three years to reapply in order to retain their SPA status. Owners and operators in these states must continue to follow their state requirements until the state changes its requirements or until the state’s SPA status changes.
• Owners and operators in 16 non-SPA states and territories must meet the federal requirements according to the schedule in the 2015 UST regulation. In addition, owners and operators will need to follow their state requirements.
• Indian country UST owners and operators must meet the federal requirements according to the schedule in the 2015 UST regulation.

Rule History

Information on 2011 proposal to revise underground storage tank regulations.

Additional Resources

• Comparison of 2015 Revised UST Regulations and 1988 UST Regulations (PDF)(10 pp, 410 K)
• Red Line Strikeout of 40 CFR Part 280 and 40 CFR Part 281 (PDF) (141 pp, 712 K)
  • Appendix III Statement Redline (PDF)(1 pg, 24 K)
  • New Ownership Change Notification Form (PDF)(1 pg, 55 K)
  • Updated Notification Form (PDF) (6 pp, 280 K)
• Regulatory Impact Analysis (PDF)(167 pp, 3 MB)
• Response to Comments Document (PDF)(181 pp, 1 MB)
• Draft version of Musts for USTs (PDF) (40 pp, 2 MB)
• Implementation Time Frames for 2015 Underground Storage Tank Requirements  (EPA-510-F-15-001).  August 2015.
• UST System Compatibility with Petroleum-Biofuel Blends:  A Brief Guide to the 2015 Federal UST Regulations for Owners and Operators of USTs Located on Tribal Lands (EPA-510-F-15-002).  August 2015.
• Questions and Answers about the 2015 Underground Storage Tank Regulation

For more information, contact Elizabeth McDermott at mcdermott.elizabeth@epa.gov or 703-603-7175. 

Compliance

The 2015 UST regulation is effective 10/13/2015.  Compliance deadlines depend on the requirement; deadlines range from 10/13/2015 to 10/13/2018. The 2015 SPA regulation requires states and territories reapply for state program approval by 10/13/2018.