Underground Storage Tanks

Alternative fuels are substantially non-petroleum based fuels, including ethanol blends and biodiesel. Federal mandates requiring a significant increase in biofuels production and use have spurred an increase in the number of retail facilities storing and dispensing renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) and other oxygenates are types of fuel additives. Although widely used beginning in the 1980s through 2005, MTBE is generally no longer used. Fuel additives are added to gasoline during the refining process. MTBE and other oxygenates raise the oxygen content of gasoline and can enhance octane quality and combustion while reducing exhaust emissions.

Ethanol And Biodiesel

• Biofuels Compendium
  This compendium contains links to resources relevant to storing ethanol and biodiesel in underground storage tanks (USTs) and to cleaning up biofuels.
• Regulatory Interpretation; Regulatory Status of E85 Tanks (PDF) (2pp, 28K, About PDF)
  EPA's November 2007 memorandum to regions and states responds to questions from states on the regulatory status of USTs containing E85 (a blend of approximately 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline).
• Clean Alternative Fuels: Biodiesel (EPA420-F00-032) (PDF) (2pp, 72K, About PDF)
  EPA's March 2002 fact sheet regarding basic facts of biodiesel, including availability, affordability, performance, safety, and maintenance.

MTBE And Other Oxygenates

• MTBE and USTs
• Fuel Oxygenates (other than MTBE) and USTs

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