PEI Links UST Owners to Testing Procedures, Contractors as EPA Nixes Compliance Deadline Extension Request

TULSA, Okla., Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. owners of underground storage tanks (USTs) need not fear a contractor shortage after the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) July 24 denial to extend by six years its Oct. 13 compliance deadline for portions of the 2015 federal UST regulations.

Several trade associations, 25 U.S. senators and 20 U.S. representatives requested the extension. The parties questioned the feasibility of testing and inspection requirements in the 2015 EPA regulations and the availability of qualified contractors.

"There are plenty of qualified PEI member companies and techs to perform the initial walk-through inspections, as well as the testing of sumps, spill buckets and overfill prevention devices," said Rick Long, executive vice president and general counsel at PEI. "The fuel handling industry doesn't live by deadlines ? it lives by doing what's right for the environment. PEI members are working hard and using solid, proven procedures to help tank owners and operators confirm the integrity of their underground fuel storage systems."

The 2105 regulations specifically recognize two of PEI's peer-reviewed documents as codes of practice that may be used to meet many of the inspection and testing requirements.

Brad Hoffman, vice president of engineering and R&D at Texas-based testing and compliance company Tanknology Inc., chairs the committee responsible for PEI/RP900: Recommended Practices for the Inspection and Maintenance of UST Systems.

"RP900 is a comprehensive inspection program that can be used by conscientious tank owners and operators to meet the federal UST inspection requirements," Hoffman said. "RP900 includes many key elements that are missing from the monthly and annual EPA inspections, and it provides a substantial reduction in risk compared with the minimum inspection requirements."  

In declining to extend the deadline, the EPA explained that the testing and inspection requirements in its 2015 UST regulations focus on the components most likely to leak or fail to detect leaks. Extending the compliance deadline, the EPA stated, "could result in releases not being identified and addressed for many years" and "could unintentionally do more harm than good." The letters encourage tank owners to arrange testing and inspections as soon as possible.

Ed Kubinsky, director of regulatory affairs, training and certification at Crompco, a Pennsylvania-based UST testing and compliance company, chairs the PEI committee responsible for PEI/RP1200: Recommended Practices for the Testing and Verification of Spill, Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities. The 2015 regulations state that the procedures in RP1200 may be used to satisfy the testing requirements for spill buckets, containments sumps and overfill prevention devices.

"With the October deadline for the first round of spill bucket, containment sump and overfill equipment testing and inspections just a few weeks away in several states, Crompco and many other testing companies are extremely busy," Kubinsky said. "As other states implement their regulations and due dates, tank owners should plan well ahead and schedule the required work. Don't wait until the last minute to try to squeeze it in."         

To connect with qualified PEI member companies across the U.S. that can perform the required inspections and tests, visit https://www.pei.org/pei-directory.

PEI recommended practices, including PEI/RP1200 and PEI/RP900, are printed on demand and are available immediately as downloadable PDFs. Prices are $40 for PEI members and $95 for non-PEI members. Visit https://bit.ly/2MnJdnC for more information.

Founded in 1951, PEI is composed of more than 1,600 companies engaged in manufacturing and distributing equipment used in the fuel and fluid handling industry. Members are located in 50 states and 81 countries. For more information, visit www.pei.org.

Contact: Kristen Wright, Editor in Chief
Phone: 918-640-6781
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Petroleum Equipment Institute