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Underground Piping Associated with Aboveground Oil Storage Tanks

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Introduction

Since June, 24 1991, new installations of underground piping associated with aboveground oil storage tanks (ASTs) must be installed and maintained under the same Rules as piping associated with underground tanks.

After July 1, 1995, it became illegal for an owner to operate aboveground tanks with underground piping not constructed of a non corrosive material approved by the DEP.

Effective August 23, 2006, the Maine Legislature adopted a law that established new requirements for facilities with aboveground tanks storing motor fuel (gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, aviation gasoline, jet fuel, gasohol or other fuels used in the operation of a vehicle or motor engine) and that are connected to underground piping.

This law established several important deadlines for owners of aboveground motor fuel facilities to be aware of:

By January 1, 2007, register motor fuel ASTs (For diesel ASTs see deadline #3.) with underground piping;

By July 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, submit inspection reports from a Certified Tank Installer or Certified Tank Inspector of underground piping systems associated with motor fuel ASTs (for diesel ASTs see deadline #4);

By January 1, 2009, register diesel ASTs with underground piping;

By July 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, submit inspection reports from a Certified Tank Installer or Certified Tank Inspector of underground piping systems associated with diesel ASTs; and

By January 1, 2011, retrofit pre-June 24, 1991, underground piping systems at all motor fuel ASTs to meet the DEP’s leak detection standards