UST Program Overview NISTM Conference June 17, 2014 Mark Barolo EPA, Office of Underground Storage Tanks
Release Prevention Recent Trends Updating Regulations Biofuels and other Emerging Fuels Energy Policy Act of 2005
Percent Compliance Confirmed Releases Recent National Trends UST Confirmed Releases 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 UST Compliance Rate 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13
Updating Regulations Timeline Timeline of Current Regulation Updates 2009 2011 Stakeholder Outreach November 2011 Proposed Regulations Published April 2012 Comment Period Closed April 2012 until Now Considering comments, working with stakeholders, drafting final regulations Summer 2014 (anticipated) Submit to OMB for interagency review Fall 2014 (anticipated)- Final regulations published
Updating Regulations - Proposed Changes Focused on O&M, not retrofits Monthly walk-through inspections Regular testing to ensure operability Spill buckets, overfill, release detection, interstitial space Address previously deferred tanks Emergency generators, airport hydrant systems, etc. Ensure parity in Indian country Implementing Energy Policy Act provisions
Updating Regulations - Feedback Nearly 200 commenters Lot of support for concept Concern about cost Too stringent/lenient Lot of individual suggestions Very helpful feedback. Will lead to a better final product
Updating Regulations - Primary Concerns Walkthrough Inspections Safety and costs of lifting sump lids every 30 days Interstitial Integrity Tests Practicality and cost Reverse incentive Groundwater and Vapor Monitoring Relied upon heavily in a few states Deferrals Feasibility of release detection for airport hydrant systems Wastewater Treatment Tanks: Uncertainty about universe and associated risk
Emerging Fuels Pose Unique Challenges For Compatibility Cleanup Ethanol Working to ensure compatibility Guidance and draft regulations Autopsies Research ORNL Sumps Leak Detection Photo Courtesy of FL DEP
Emerging Fuels cont. ULSD CFDA/Battelle/Tanknology study EPA study this summer/fall Geared toward solutions http://www.clean-diesel.org/pdf/ulsdstoringsystemcorrosion.pdf Photo Courtesy of Lorri Grainawi, Steel Tank Institute
Battelle Testing Tank for Leak Detection Technologies in Biofuel Blends Suitability Assessment Project Emerging Fuels cont. Ultra Low Sulfur Gasoline Biobutanol Next!?
Energy Policy Act Focus of the program for past 10 years Substantial benefits Key Provisions 3-year inspections Operator training Secondary containment Nearly all states in compliance 3-year inspections are challenge to maintain. Subtitle B--Underground Storage Tank Compliance Sec. 1521. Short Title. This subtitle may be cited as the Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act. Sec. 1522. Leaking Underground Storage Tanks.
Cleanup Trends Backlog Reduction State Fund Soundness Other Funding Sources Science/Technology
Trends
Reducing the Backlog 441,648 cleanups completed 75,669 cleanups remaining to be completed Backlog Reduction Opportunities: Accelerating Corrective Action Move sites forward faster Pursue Targeted Initiatives E.g., abandoned tank program Improve Program Implementation Ensure FR mechanisms are sound
Backlog Reduction: State Funds Effective FR mechanisms are essential Unique to UST program is State Assurance Funds Primary driver of cleanups historically Ensuring Soundness is critical
% change in income FY12 FY13 36% 35% 14% 10% 9% 7% 6% 6% 3% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% -1% -2% -2% -2% -2% -3% -4% -6% -6% -10% -12% -16% -29% -59%
100% 71% % change in cost FY12 FY13 48% 34%33% 28%22%22% 21% 16% 11%11%7% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% -1% -5%-6% -7% -13% -18% -28% -41% -73% -93% -133%
Backlog Reduction: Other Funding Petroleum Brownfields Redevelopment can be a major driver in addressing abandoned sites Opportunities abound Sources Abandoned Tank Programs Dedicated funds Contribution from state funds Settlement resources Before: Abandoned Station After: New Fire Station
Backlog Reduction: Science and Technology Petroleum Vapor Intrusion Guidance Optimization Education
Collaboration and Partnership The challenge is large...... but the community is strong.
Contact Information Mark Barolo, Deputy Director Office of Underground Storage Tanks barolo.mark@epa.gov 703/603-7141 www.epa.gov/oust