U.S. EPA Finalizes Underground Storage Tank Guidance for Biofuels

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized guidance for owners and operators of underground storage tanks (USTs) containing ethanol blends greater than 10% (E10) or biodiesel blends greater than 20% (B20). The guidance will assist these entities in demonstrating compliance with federal regulations requiring USTs to be compatible with the fuel stored. The guidance applies to owners and operators in states that do not have a separate state program approval (SPA) in place, but may be useful for SPA states as well. Under the guidance, UST owners and operators may demonstrate compatibility by using components that are certified or listed by a nationally recognized and independent testing laboratory, approved by the manufacturer, or considered compatible by another method deemed acceptable by EPA or other implementing agency. For newly installed equipment with multiple individual components, owners and operators may obtain certification on the entire assembly. For more information, refer to the final guidance in the Federal Register, EPA’s Underground Storage Tanks website, and 40 CFR 280.