06.08.2011
Corrosion risk from ethanol in UST systems is confirmed in study
A study conducted recently by EPA and Tennessee state regulators has reached a significant conclusion: "a link exists between ethanol in motor fuels and the corrosion of metals in the sumps of an underground storage tank".
While the conclusion of the study was perhaps not a surprise to retail service station operators, the study was significant in that it was conducted in part by EPA staff; in December of 2010 the EPA had approved ethanol in greater concentration as a motor fuel additive with its "partial waiver" rule that enabled E15 (15% Ethanol) for use in retail gasoline service stations for late model vehicles. The Tennessee study's conclusion were based on evaluating actual equipment used in the field, focusing on submersible turbine pump (STP) sumps for 10% Ethanol ( E-10) systems; in most cases the ethanol had only been in use for a few years.
No indication yet on what if any impact this will have on EPA's future promotion of ethanol as a petroleum additive, or the effect on the Fuel Products Group lawsuit which was announced last year. (see news for December 21, 1010).
The attached photo was taken at an STP sump system for a gas station in Leon County, FL
03.22.2011
New Spill Plan (SPCC) Requirements- What Facility Buyers Need to Know
An SPCC Plan is a Federal (US EPA) regulatory requirement for certain oil storage facilities. The facility need not be in the business of distributing petroleum, it may in fact be a golf course, educational facility, or a family farm, or any number of other types with oil storage on premises.
The historical distinguishing feature of a facility which determines a requirement for an SPCC plan are:
- individual on site oil storage container size greater than or equal to 55 gallons
- aggregrate above ground capacity of greater than 1320 gallons of oil
- and/or 42,000 gallons of underground volume (only if not otherwise regulated as a UST)*
*as an example, a facility has 3 - 15,000 gallon UNDERGROUND tanks that contain heating oil for consumptive use. These tanks are not regulated as underground storage tanks, so therefore the facility would be required to have an SPCC plan.
Beginning in November of 2011 , some major changes take effect which will affect facility operators SPCC requirements.
1) All underground storage tanks as well as above ground tanks must be included in the facility drawing. This applies whether your UST's are reportable under the SPCC plan or not. In other words, while regulated UST's don't necessarily create an SPCC requirement, if a plan is required (for the reasons stated above), then all UST's must be depicted in the facility drawing. The purpose for this is so that emergency responders can be made aware of all bulk storage in critical situations by referencing the SPCC diagram.
2) Facilities are no longer automatically required to have a third party professional engineer prepare the SPCC plans. If a facility has not had a reportable release in two years, the owner can self perform or designate their own representative to prepare a plan, according to the somewhat precscriptive SPCC guidelines.
SPCC regulations can be confusing, and you may still be unclear about whether you need one our not. For a free evaluation of your SPCC needs, feel free to CONTACT US
03.16.2011
UST Operator Training for Spring of 2011
Synergy Environmental, Inc. and Tanksurance have developed one of the first training courses certified by Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection for UST Operator Training. See below for registration information for Spring 2011 Classes.
Background: The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated a number of new requirements for owners and operators of petroleum storage facilities. One of the final implementation steps applies to the management of Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems. The Act, to be implemented at the state level, requires all UST owners/operators to receive state certified training in UST operation, safety, best management practices and emergency response procedures. The class satisfies this requirement.
Details of the courses being offered are listed below:
Class A and B Operator Training -
3 hour interactive classroom instruction
Registration is open NOW – choose from any of the following dates:
A) Thursday, March 24th - 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
B) Thursday, April 21st - 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
C) Thursday, May 26th - 9:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
Registration cost - $225 (Discounts available for multiple company personnel)
Course Location:
Synergy Environmental, Inc.
155 Railroad Plaza
Royersford, PA 19468
For directions: http://www.synergyenvinc.com/index.php/contact/
Register via email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
or by phone: (717) 303 - 3065
Please indicate the preferred date in your email, along with contact information.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at your training session.
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