Finalized Amendments to the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule

EPA Further Delays Effective Date of Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Requirements That Were Finalized in December 2008

On April 1, 2009, the Federal Register published EPA’s delay of the effective date of the December 5, 2008, Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure final rule. This delay is in response to public comments and the Office of Management and Budget’s January 21, 2009, memorandum (PDF) (2 pp, 105K, About PDF) regarding regulatory review.

The December 5, 2008, amendments will now become effective on January 14, 2010.

In addition to delaying the effective date, EPA is requesting public comment on whether a further delay of the effective date may be warranted. Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2009.

The April 1, 2009, rule has no impact on the compliance date for SPCC. The current compliance date for SPCC is July 1, 2009. The compliance date for farms has not yet been established.

Neither this delay, nor the December 5, 2008, final rule remove any regulatory requirement for owners or operators of facilities in operation before August 16, 2002, to maintain an SPCC Plan in accordance with the SPCC regulations.

Regulation: Oil Pollution Prevention; Non-Transportation Related Onshore Facilities; Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Rule--Final Amendments