Background and Requirements

Title XV, Section B of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 amends Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the original legislation that created the underground storage tank (UST) program. The UST provisions of the Energy Policy Act focus on preventing releases and direct EPA to help states comply with new UST requirements.

Section 1530 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires states receiving federal funds under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require either secondary containment and under-dispenser containment for new and replaced underground storage tank systems or evidence of financial responsibility and installer certification.

Secondary containment requires that new or replaced tanks and piping within 1,000 feet of an existing community water system or an existing potable drinking water well must be secondarily contained (this includes interstitial monitoring). New dispenser systems within 1,000 feet of an existing community water system or an existing potable drinking water well must have under-dispenser spill containment. This requirement does not apply to repairs meant to restore a tank, pipe, or dispenser to operating condition.

More information is available about the option of financial responsibility and installer certification.

Grant Guidelines

On November 15, 2006, EPA issued final grant guidelines for secondary containment. See document below. For more information about the secondary containment grant guidelines, contact Liz McDermott at mcdermott.elizabeth@epa.gov or 202-564-0646.