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Since 1983, NEIWPCC has been deeply involved in local and national underground storage tank (UST) issues. Underground storage tanks are subterranean tanks commonly used to store petroleum at gas stations, car dealerships, marinas, and elsewhere. Despite noteworthy advancements in UST technology and regulations, tanks will still leak, resulting in contamination of soil and groundwater. These tanks are referred to as leaking underground storage tanks (LUST). Such contamination is expensive to remediate and can be detrimental to ground water quality and drinking water wells.
NEIWPCC's UST/LUST workgroup, comprised of the directors of tank programs in our member states and EPA, typically meets three times a year to address the many issues surrounding USTs. Discussion covers pertinent UST, LUST, and state fund issues including such topics as Energy Policy Act mandates, backlog reduction, alternative fuels, and compliance. Despite progress in recent years, many cleanups of leaking tank sites have yet to be completed, and state inspectors in New England and New York State continue to find people operating USTs without the equipment, systems, and procedures they are required to have to prevent and detect leaks. This failure by many to comply with state and federal UST regulations has prompted NEIWPCC to take a lead role in an effort to increase compliance in our member states. The workgroup has provided crucial support for this effort.
Since 1985, NEIWPCC has also published LUSTLine, an influential national bulletin covering UST/LUST issues, federal and state programs, activities, and technologies. LUSTLine is published three times a year.
For more information on all of our UST programs, contact Drew Youngs, coordinator of our UST/LUST workgroup.
