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Requirements for Removing Underground Gas Tanks from Old Gas Stations

Underground gas tanks are a common type of underground storage tank (UST) systems. These systems consist of a tank and the underground piping that connects the tank to an above-ground component. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), to qualify as a UST system, ten percent or more of the system must be underground. Federal regulations apply to USTs that store petroleum, such as gasoline, or other hazardous substances. When underground gas tanks have to be removed from old gas stations, there are several requirements that apply, in order to protect the environment.

  1. Notification of Local Authorities

    • Although the removal of USTs is regulated by federal regulations, state agencies also come into play. Given the hazardous nature of removing an underground gas tank, it's not surprising that states have a vested interest in their proper removal. For this reason, most states require that notice be given to the appropriate state agency prior to removal work commencing. In the state of Oklahoma, as an example, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission must be notified 14 days in advance of removal. If the removal schedule is delayed, notice must be given to the Registration Section of the Administration Department, 48 hours prior to the originally scheduled date.

    Licensed UST Removers

    • Because of the hazardous nature of UST removal, work must be completed by a certified UST remover. Many of these remediation contractors also perform other types of abatement work, such as asbestos abatement, in addition to UST removal. Licensing requirements for these contractors varies by state; however, most require some form of continuing education. As an example, in the state of Oklahoma, UST removers must complete four hours of continuing education that has been approved by the state, every two years, to maintain their UST remover license.

    Soil and Groundwater Sampling

    • One of the environmental hazards of underground gas tanks comes from pollution of surrounding soil and groundwater. For this reason, soil and groundwater sampling must be done prior to UST removal and following remediation. This sampling determines how extensive the remediation will be and determines whether the remediation is performed correctly. State regulations differ slightly concerning the specifics of this testing; most, though, are quite similar.

      In Oklahoma the sampling must be performed with the supervision of an OCC-licensed remediation consultant. Laboratory results above predetermined "action" levels are required to be reported to the OCC within 24 hours. Following remediation, a second set of samples are to be performed, and if contamination is found, the UST removal contractor may have to reimburse the tank owner for any backfill that must be disposed of and replaced.

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