New Requirements for Townships with Underground Storage Tanks
By June 28, 2010, all regulated underground storage tank facilities, including township sites, must have emergency procedures and notification information readily available at the facility. In the case of unmanned facilities, the information must be posted within sight of the facility user.

In addition, townships that own a regulated underground storage tank will need to train at least one employee as a “Class C” operator no later than August 8, 2012. These operators must either be on-site or on call and able to arrive on-site within two hours of notification. They also must be trained on emergency procedures for responding to alarms or other indications of tank spills, releases, and equipment failures.

Click here to view a summary sheet from the state Department of Environmental Protection on items to include in this training.

Because townships can meet these requirements with an in-house training session, PSATS is not currently planning to hold any “Class C” training courses. However, the Association will gladly assist any county association that would like to host a “Class C” workshop and may provide this training at the 2011 PSATS Educational Conference and Trade Show.

Townships with underground storage tanks are also required to have designated “Class A” and “Class B” operators available who can respond within 24 hours of notification. These individuals do not have to be township employees. (Please note that anyone certified by DEP as an underground storage tank inspector or installer is also deemed to be a “Class A” and/or “Class B” operator.)

Click here to find a “Class A” operator near you.
Click here to find a “Class B” operator near you.

Fuel tank cleanout and the new B2 diesel
Due to a recent mandate that all diesel fuel sold in Pennsylvania contain at least 2 percent biodiesel, known as B2 diesel, some fuel distributors are requiring townships to empty and clean out their diesel fuel storage tanks before delivery of the B2 diesel. While storage tanks should be emptied before the introduction of a new product, which helps to reduce the distributor’s liability, there is no state requirement that tanks be cleaned first.

If a distributor insists that tanks be cleaned before it will deliver the B2 diesel, township officials may want to contact a certified tank installer to certify a clean tank. A list of DEP-certified underground storage tank installers can be found by clicking here.

Townships are encouraged to contact their tank installer to make sure the new B2 diesel is compatible with their current tanks and associated piping.

If you have any questions on this issue, please contact James Wheeler at PSATS at (717) 763-0930 or jwheeler@psats.org.