Underground Storage Tanks

This web page provides underground storage tank (UST) stakeholders with information about biofuels, such as ethanol 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. These fuels have significantly different characteristics than petroleum gasoline and diesel. Thus, UST stakeholders should be aware of the technical and policy issues related to storing and dispensing biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.

• Guidance - Compatibility Of Underground Storage Tank Systems With Biofuel Blends
  EPA's June 2011 guidance provides options for UST owners and operators to use in complying with the federal compatibility requirement for UST systems storing gasoline containing greater than 10 percent ethanol or diesel containing greater than 20 percent biodiesel.
• Regulatory Interpretation; Regulatory Status of E85 Tanks (PDF) (2pp, 27K, 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).
• Biofuels Compendium
  This compendium contains links to resources relevant to storing ethanol and biodiesel in underground storage tanks (USTs) and to cleaning up biofuels.

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