Underground Storage Tanks

 

EPA designed this page to help petroleum and hazardous substance delivery companies determine whether an underground storage tank (UST) is eligible for product delivery. This page provides links to state and territory laws, regulations, and policies in order to help users determine the applicable requirements in each state and territory. EPA updates this information as states implement new delivery prohibition programs.

Delivery prohibition programs prohibit product delivery to underground storage tanks that have one or more compliance violations, as determined by a state or territory. States and territories that have programs generally use one of two methods for identifying the delivery eligibility status of USTs:

• Red Tag Program
  Delivery prohibition programs that physically identify USTs that are ineligible to receive product. The mechanisms are usually red tags, but the mechanisms and their colors can vary by state. The mechanisms are generally attached to the fill pipes of ineligible tanks. If an UST does not have a red tag, then the deliverer can assume that the tank is compliant and eligible for delivery.

• Green Tag Program
  Delivery prohibition programs that physically identify USTs that are eligible to receive product. The mechanisms are usually green tags or permits, but the mechanisms and their colors can vary by state. The mechanisms are generally affixed to the fill pipes of eligible USTs or otherwise conspicuously displayed at the UST facility. If a green tag or permit is present, then the deliverer can assume the tank is compliant and eligible for delivery. An implementing agency prohibits deliveries by removing the tag or permit.
  

Many states and territories that do not have a red or green tag delivery prohibition program only have UST registration requirements. Those states’ and territories’ registration requirements are generally connected with registration fees and not tied to compliance with UST regulations. A small number of these states and territories can prohibit owners and operators from receiving deliveries through administrative orders.

To access information regarding a state’s or territory’s program, please select a state or territory from the map, dropdown menu, or sidebar.

 

 

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Background
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the original legislation that created the underground storage tank program.  As directed by the Energy Policy Act, EPA in August 2006 published delivery prohibition grant guidelines for states.  States receiving Subtitle I funding were required to meet the minimum requirements of the grant guidelines by August 8, 2007.  Some states met the deadline; others are working to meet it.  As required by the grant guidelines, many states will be altering their delivery prohibition programs to comply with the 2006 requirements.

Please note that inclusion of a state's delivery prohibition program on this page does not indicate an endorsement or approval of the state's program, and these programs do not necessarily meet the requirements of EPA's delivery prohibition grant guidelines.

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