State Implementation of EPA Underground Storage Tank Regulations Moving Forward

In the next couple of weeks, Iowa stakeholder groups will reconvene to discuss the framework of Iowa’s rule implementing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revisions to its Underground Storage Tank regulations found in 40 CFR Part 280. Petroleum industry representatives participating in the stakeholder meetings with the Iowa DNR include PMCI and members of our Board of Directors, PMMIC, equipment manufacturers and contractors, environmental professionals, and other industry representatives.

EPA’s UST regulation will change the way that owners and operators oversee their UST systems in the future. EPA’s regulation will attempt to transition owners and operators away from inspection based oversight of UST systems and toward oversight that incorporates physical testing of specific UST system components on a three-year reoccurring cycle. In addition to the new testing protocols, owners and operators will also be tasked with conducting and documenting visual walk through inspections every 30 days and a more comprehensive annual inspection.

The stakeholder process is a critical piece in a state’s implementation of a federal rule. The goal of these meetings is for industry experts to convene and develop compliance pathways that best mesh the intent of the regulation with practical compliance solutions for owners and operators. PMCI will be providing updates to the membership as we continue to move toward the development of a final state rule. This topic will be a priority at our upcoming PMCI Member Area Meetings as well as our PMCI Member Committee Days.

Members interested in learning more about the rule and providing feedback are encouraged to contact John in the PMCI office at (515) 421-4043. Iowa must have its rule in place no later than October 13, 2018.