Pennsylvania Storage Tank Program
In August of 1989, the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act came into effect. The Department of Environmental Protection’s (PA DEP) created a program with the goal of protecting Pennsylvania’s Air, Water, and Land from Storage Tank releases and to promote the health and safety of its citizens. The program is the Storage Tank Program.
The Storage Tank Program has developed and implemented requirements for aboveground and underground storage tanks. The program handles:
- Registration of tanks
- Certification of tank handling and inspection companies
- Tank permits
- Procedures for release reporting and corrective actions
What tanks need to be registered and who is responsible?
- An Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) with the capacity of more than 250 gallons of a regulated substance
- Each tank of a compartmental tank must be registered as a separate tank
- The owner of the tank is the responsible party
- If a tank is not registered it is unlawful to place chemical in an unregistered tank and the distributor will be liable for any spills or leaks
- Registration must be renewed annually
- If your tank does not meet these requirements an exemption form will be required from the chemical distributor
For a list of chemicals subject to these regulations please visit the PA DEP website:
https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Tanks/Aboveground-Storage-Tanks/Pages/default.aspx
New York Chemical Bulk Storage Program
In 1986 the state of New York passed a law entitled Article 40, Hazardous Substances Bulk Storage Act. This law regulates the sale storage and handling of hazardous substances. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) created Chemical Bulk Storage (CBS) regulations (6NYCRR Parts 595-599). This program applies to facilities with a 185 gallon or larger aboveground tank to store “Hazardous Substances” or a 1,000 kg non-stationary tank for more than 90 consecutive days.
- There are over 1,000 hazardous substances listed
- All regulated tanks at a facility must be registered with the DEC
- Requirements for release reports, release response, and corrective actions are outlined
- Chemical manufacturers and suppliers must provide buyers with guidance on how to properly handle and store, and must file the guidance report with the DEC
- New storage equipment must meet state guidelines
- Tank and pipes must be tested annually
- If your tank does not meet these requirements an exemption form will be required from the chemical distributor
More information can be found at the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s website:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/287.html
Should you have any questions or concerns as to whether you may have a storage tank issue, please feel free to contact your Coyne Environmental Chemical Applications Specialist who can assist you or direct you to one of our regulatory personnel on staff.
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