 |
Since 1988, the UST regulations required that tanks be made of or lined with materials that are compatible with the substance stored. Since that time, many new biofuel blends have come on the market. The 2015 UST amendments add new compatibility notification, demonstration of compatibility, and recordkeeping requirements concerning certain biofuels.
Notification. UST owners and operators must notify the EPA or their implementing agency at least 30 days before switching to a regulated substance containing:
- Greater than 10 percent ethanol,
- Greater than 20 percent biodiesel, or
- Other regulated substance identified by the EPA or the applicable implementing agency.
With the newly released 2015 federal UST regulations, there are additional reporting and compatibility requirements for storing regulated substances blended with greater than 10 percent ethanol or greater than 20 percent biodiesel in UST systems. Learn more by attending this webinar on Tuesday, September 24.
Demonstration of compatibility. UST owners and operators who switch to a biofuel that contains greater than 10 percent ethanol, 20 percent biodiesel, or another substance that their implementing agency has identified must demonstrate UST system (including the tank, piping, containment sumps, pumping equipment, release detection equipment, spill equipment, and overfill equipment) compatibility with the fuel by:
- A nationally recognized independent testing laboratory,
- Equipment or component manufacturer approval, or
- Another method determined to be no less protective to human health or the environment than the first two methods.
Ethanol and Biodiesel in Your ASTs and USTs: How to Prevent Corrosion and Achieve Compliance
Learn how to properly store alternative fuels in both aboveground and underground storage tanks while maintaining compliance with regulations that apply to your facility. Register today!
Recordkeeping. Records applicable to all UST systems must be maintained as long as the UST is storing the biofuel.
Note. There is much controversy about the extent of damage that ethanol can do to your storage tank, however, no one debates that E85, E15, and all midlevel ethanol blends between the two require special considerations related to storage, dispensing, handling, and vehicle operation, as compared to gasoline.