Underground Storage Tanks

Requirement

Section 1524 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 states that EPA, in coordination with states, must develop training guidelines for three distinct classes of operators who operate and maintain federally-regulated underground storage tank systems. States receiving funding under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act shall develop state-specific training requirements consistent with EPA's guidelines. The guidelines will take into account:

• State training programs in effect when guidelines are finally issued
• Training programs used by owners and operators and other personnel
• Frequency of improvement in underground storage tank equipment technology
• Nature of businesses in which the tank operators are engaged and high turnover rate
• Substantial differences in the scope and length of training needed for the different classes of operators

States receiving funding under Subtitle I shall develop state-specific training requirements consistent with EPA's guidelines. The state-specific training requirements must:

• Be developed in cooperation with tank owners and operators
• Take into consideration training programs implemented by owners and operators
• Be appropriately communicated to tank owners and operators

Deadlines

August 8, 2007 - EPA must issue and make available to the public the operator training guidelines.

August 8, 2009 - States receiving funding under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act must develop state-specific training requirements consistent with EPA's guidelines.

August 8, 2012 - States ensure all three classes of operators are trained according to state-specific training requirements.

Status

On August 8, 2007, EPA published the operator training guidelines (PDF) (14 pp, 119K, About PDF)

For more information

Contact Tim Smith of EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks at smith.timr@epa.gov or (703) 603-7158.

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