Underground Storage Tanks

Laws

A complete version of the law that governs underground storage tanks (USTs) is available in the U.S. Code, Title 42, Chapter 82, Subchapter IX (scroll down to near the end of the law for Subchapter IX). This law incorporates amendments to Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act as well as the UST provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and gives EPA the authority to regulate USTs.

The LUST provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated $200 million to assess and clean up leaks from underground storage tanks. The vast majority of the money is allocated to states and territories in the form of assistance agreements to address shovel-ready sites within their jurisdictions.

Regulations

EPA's regulations concerning USTs are contained in 40 CFR Part 280, 40 CFR Part 281 and 40 CFR Parts 282.50-282.105. The regulations are divided into three sections: technical requirements, financial responsibility requirements, and state program approval objectives.

Policies

EPA, in consultation with state and territorial underground storage tank programs, developed Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Recovery Act Program Guidance to assist EPA regional underground storage tank programs in negotiating and entering into assistance agreements with states and territories.

In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, EPA developed grant guidelines, a tribal strategy and an Indian Country UST report.

EPA issued Policy Directives (1988-1999) to provide regulatory agencies with information to help them implement the UST program.

The UST Technical Compendium is a collection of questions and answers which interpret guidance issued by EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks.

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