State Underground Storage Tank (UST) Programs

2015 Underground Storage Tank Regulations

EPA revised the underground storage tank regulation and the state approval regulation in July 2015.

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What is the role of states in regulating underground storage tanks?

EPA recognizes that, because of the size and diversity of the regulated community, state and local governments are in the best position to oversee USTs:

  • State and local authorities are closer to the situation in their domain and are in the best position to set priorities.
  • Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act allows state UST programs approved by EPA to operate in lieu of the federal program.
  • The state program approval (SPA) regulations set criteria for states to obtain the authority to operate in lieu of the federal program. State programs must be at least as stringent as EPA's.

Which states have updated their state UST regulations to incorporate the revised 2015 federal UST requirements?

As of September 2021, these 52 states and territories updated their UST regulations to incorporate the revised 2015 federal UST requirements.

List of State and Territorial UST Regulations (docx) (25.25 KB, July 2023)

How do states receive program approval?

EPA's regional offices coordinate the state program approval process for states and territories under their jurisdiction. EPA regional officials work closely with state officials while state programs are under development.

Once state legislatures enact statutes and state agencies develop regulations in accord with EPA requirements and put other necessary components of a program in place, states may apply for formal approval. EPA must respond to applications within 180 days.

A state program is approved if it is judged to meet three criteria:

  1. It sets standards for eight performance criteria that are no less stringent than federal standards.
  2. It contains provisions for adequate enforcement.
  3. It regulates at least the same USTs as are regulated under federal standards.

What must states do to apply or re-apply for state program approval under the 2015 underground storage tank regulation?

Under the 2015 state program approval (SPA) regulation, the 38 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, which currently have SPA, must reapply by October 13, 2018 in order to retain their SPA status.  The remaining 16 non-SPA states and territories may apply for SPA at any time.

EPA’s regional offices coordinate the state program approval process for states and territories under their jurisdiction.  EPA regional officials will work closely with state officials while states are developing their programs.

In July 2015, EPA published the 2015 underground storage tank regulation and the 2015 state program approval regulation.  The 2015 UST regulation changes certain portions of the 1988 underground storage tank technical regulation in 40 CFR part 280.  The 2015 state program approval regulation updates requirements in 40 CFR part 281 and incorporates the changes in the UST technical regulation. 

This flowchart and table, which describe the process for states to apply and re-apply for SPA under the 2015 UST regulation, will help states and territories develop their state program approval applications. 

Flowchart and table describing the SPA process (docx) (204.87 KB)

A state’s SPA application must include these six components.

After EPA approves a state’s application, EPA regions will publish notice of the final approval in the Federal Register.

States with Approved UST Programs and Federal Register Notices 

Which states have approved programs?

As of September 2021, 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico had state programs approved under the 1988 UST regulation. States are now applying for their state programs to be as stringent as the 2015 UST regulation.

Map of States with Approved UST Programs (2024)

Map showing states with approved programs.

List of States with Approved UST Programs and links to the respective Federal Register Notices

What are the benefits of state program approval?

Owners and operators in states that have an approved UST program do not have to deal with two sets of statutes and regulations (state and federal) that may be conflicting. Once their programs are approved, states have the lead role in UST program enforcement. In states without an approved program, EPA will work with state officials in coordinating UST enforcement actions.

All 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia have a comprehensive set of UST leak prevention and release detection regulations and a program to implement those regulations. Additionally, all states have cleanup programs. Even for states without SPA, EPA enters into grant or cooperative agreements with state programs, and the state program is designated as the primary implementing agency. While both federal and state regulations apply in states without SPA, the state regulations are generally just as stringent as, and oftentimes significantly more stringent than, EPA's regulations.

Need more information about a particular state's program?

If need further assistance, contact the EPA regional office or the UST/LUST program in your state or territory. The program office is usually located in the state environmental agency. Program staff will provide information or referrals.

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Last updated on July 15, 2024