Underground Storage Tanks

Welcome to the EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) Web site. Our goal in maintaining this site is to provide accurate and frequently updated information relevant to the federal underground storage tank (UST) program. (Please see disclaimer.)

About OUST's Web Site

To facilitate locating relevant information we have created an easy-to-use index file alphabetically listing over 200 topic areas, and our Web site is fully searchable using the search function at the top of every page. We also provide a menu of links to many additional sources of UST information, such as Tribal, state, local, and regional EPA Web sites.

About OUST's Mission And Activities

The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) was created in 1985 to carry out a Congressional mandate to develop and implement a regulatory program for underground storage tank (UST) systems.

• For brief overviews of OUST's history and the federal requirements for USTs, please read our "UST Program Facts."
• See "How Did The Federal UST Program Begin?" for the legislative history of the UST program. 
• Information about cleaning up leaks from USTs is summarized in the tri-fold cleanup brochure.
• OUST provides technical and administrative support to EPA's ten Regional offices as well as 56 state and territorial regulatory programs. Of the federal money allocated to OUST each year by Congress, an average of 85% goes directly to state programs.

If you have questions not answered by information on OUST's Web site, please use our "Contact OUST" directory to identify the appropriate staff who can help you. We also have listed OUST's address and phone and fax numbers. Please convey any comments or suggestions about OUST's Web site to Karen Ellenberger.

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