42 U.S.C. 6912, 6991, 6991a, 6991b, 6991c, 6991d, 6991e, 6991f, 6991g, 6991h.
(a) The requirements of this part apply to all owners and operators of an UST system as defined in § 280.12 except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section. Any UST system listed in paragraph (c) of this section must meet the requirements of § 280.11.
(b) The following UST systems are excluded from the requirements of this part:
(1) Any UST system holding hazardous wastes listed or identified under Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, or a mixture of such hazardous waste and other regulated substances.
(2) Any wastewater treatment tank system that is part of a wastewater treatment facility regulated under section 402 or 307(b) of the Clean Water Act.
(3) Equipment or machinery that contains regulated substances for operational purposes such as hydraulic lift tanks and electrical equipment tanks.
(4) Any UST system whose capacity is 110 gallons or less.
(5) Any UST system that contains a
(6) Any emergency spill or overflow containment UST system that is expeditiously emptied after use.
(c)
(1) Wastewater treatment tank systems;
(2) Any UST systems containing radioactive material that are regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 and following);
(3) Any UST system that is part of an emergency generator system at nuclear power generation facilities regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under 10 CFR part 50, appendix A;
(4) Airport hydrant fuel distribution systems; and
(5) UST systems with field-constructed tanks.
(d)
(a) No person may install an UST system listed in § 280.10(c) for the purpose of storing regulated substances unless the UST system (whether of single- or double-wall construction):
(1) Will prevent releases due to corrosion or structural failure for the operational life of the UST system;
(2) Is cathodically protected against corrosion, constructed of noncorrodible material, steel clad with a noncorrodible material, or designed in a manner to prevent the release or threatened release of any stored substance; and
(3) Is constructed or lined with material that is compatible with the stored substance.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, an UST system without corrosion protection may be installed at a site that is determined by a corrosion expert not to be corrosive enough to cause it to have a release due to corrosion during its operating life. Owners and operators must maintain records that demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this paragraph for the remaining life of the tank.
The National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard RP-02-85, “Control of External Corrosion on Metallic Buried, Partially Buried, or Submerged Liquid Storage Systems,” may be used as guidance for complying with paragraph (b) of this section.
(a) The owner or operator has obtained all federal, state, and local approvals or permits necessary to begin physical construction of the site or installation of the tank system; and if,
(b)(1) Either a continuous on-site physical construction or installation program has begun; or,
(2) The owner or operator has entered into contractual obligations—which cannot be cancelled or modified without substantial loss—for physical construction at the site or installation of the tank system to be completed within a reasonable time.
(a) In the case of an UST system in use on November 8, 1984, or brought into use after that date, any person who owns an UST system used for storage, use, or dispensing of regulated substances; and
(b) In the case of any UST system in use before November 8, 1984, but no longer in use on that date, any person who owned such UST immediately before the discontinuation of its use.
(a) Any substance defined in section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 (but not including any substance regulated as a hazardous waste under subtitle C), and
(b) Petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof that is liquid at standard conditions of temperature and pressure (60 degrees Fahrenheit and 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute).
(a) Farm or residential tank of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes;
(b) Tank used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored;
(c) Septic tank;
(d) Pipeline facility (including gathering lines) regulated under:
(1) The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (49 U.S.C. App. 1671,
(2) The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 (49 U.S.C. App. 2001,
(3) Which is an intrastate pipeline facility regulated under state laws comparable to the provisions of the law referred to in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this definition;
(e) Surface impoundment, pit, pond, or lagoon;
(f) Storm-water or wastewater collection system;
(g) Flow-through process tank;
(h) Liquid trap or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operations; or
(i) Storage tank situated in an underground area (such as a basement, cellar, mineworking, drift, shaft, or tunnel) if the storage tank is situated upon or above the surface of the floor.
In order to prevent releases due to structural failure, corrosion, or spills and overfills for as long as the UST system is used to store regulated substances, all owners and operators of new UST systems must meet the following requirements.
(a)
(1) The tank is constructed of fiberglass-reinforced plastic; or
The following industry codes may be used to comply with paragraph (a)(1) of this section: Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1316, “Standard for Glass- Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Underground Storage Tanks for Petroleum Products”; Underwriter's Laboratories of Canada CAN4-S615-M83, “Standard for Reinforced Plastic Underground Tanks for Petroleum Products”; or American Society of Testing and Materials Standard D4021-86, “Standard Specification for Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks.”
(2) The tank is constructed of steel and cathodically protected in the following manner:
(i) The tank is coated with a suitable dielectric material;
(ii) Field-installed cathodic protection systems are designed by a corrosion expert;
(iii) Impressed current systems are designed to allow determination of current operating status as required in § 280.31(c); and
(iv) Cathodic protection systems are operated and maintained in accordance with § 280.31 or according to guidelines established by the implementing agency; or
The following codes and standards may be used to comply with paragraph (a)(2) of this section:
(A) Steel Tank Institute “Specification for STI-P3 System of External Corrosion Protection of Underground Steel Storage Tanks”;
(B) Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1746, “Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Storage Tanks”;
(C) Underwriters Laboratories of Canada CAN4-S603-M85, “Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids,” and CAN4-G03.1-M85, “Standard for Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids,” and CAN4-S631-M84, “Isolating Bushings for Steel Underground Tanks Protected with Coatings and Galvanic Systems”; or
(D) National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard RP-02-85, “Control of External Corrosion on Metallic Buried, Partially Buried, or Submerged Liquid Storage Systems,” and Underwriters Laboratories Standard 58, “Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids.”
(3) The tank is constructed of a steel-fiberglass-reinforced-plastic composite; or
The following industry codes may be used to comply with paragraph (a)(3) of this section: Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1746, “Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Storage Tanks,” or the Association for Composite Tanks ACT-100, “Specification for the Fabrication of FRP Clad Underground Storage Tanks.”
(4) The tank is constructed of metal without additional corrosion protection measures provided that:
(i) The tank is installed at a site that is determined by a corrosion expert not to be corrosive enough to cause it to have a release due to corrosion during its operating life; and
(ii) Owners and operators maintain records that demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (a)(4)(i) for the remaining life of the tank; or
(5) The tank construction and corrosion protection are determined by the implementing agency to be designed to prevent the release or threatened release of any stored regulated substance in a manner that is no less protective of human health and the environment than paragraphs (a) (1) through (4) of this section.
(b)
(1) The piping is constructed of fiberglass-reinforced plastic; or
The following codes and standards may be used to comply with paragraph (b)(1) of this section:
(A) Underwriters Laboratories Subject 971, “UL Listed Non-Metal Pipe”;
(B) Underwriters Laboratories Standard 567, “Pipe Connectors for Flammable and Combustible and LP Gas”;
(C) Underwriters Laboratories of Canada Guide ULC-107, “Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic Pipe and Fittings for Flammable Liquids”; and
(D) Underwriters Laboratories of Canada Standard CAN 4-S633-M81, “Flexible Underground Hose Connectors.”
(2) The piping is constructed of steel and cathodically protected in the following manner:
(i) The piping is coated with a suitable dielectric material;
(ii) Field-installed cathodic protection systems are designed by a corrosion expert;
(iii) Impressed current systems are designed to allow determination of current operating status as required in § 280.31(c); and
(iv) Cathodic protection systems are operated and maintained in accordance with § 280.31 or guidelines established by the implementing agency; or
The following codes and standards may be used to comply with paragraph (b)(2) of this section:
(A) National Fire Protection Association Standard 30, “Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code”;
(B) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1615, “Installation of Underground Petroleum Storage Systems”;
(C) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1632, “Cathodic Protection of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks and Piping Systems”; and
(D) National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard RP-01-69, “Control of External Corrosion on Submerged Metallic Piping Systems.”
(3) The piping is constructed of metal without additional corrosion protection measures provided that:
(i) The piping is installed at a site that is determined by a corrosion expert to not be corrosive enough to cause it to have a release due to corrosion during its operating life; and
(ii) Owners and operators maintain records that demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section for the remaining life of the piping; or
National Fire Protection Association Standard 30, “Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code”; and National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard RP-01-69, “Control of External Corrosion on Submerged Metallic Piping Systems,” may be used to comply with paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(4) The piping construction and corrosion protection are determined by the implementing agency to be designed to prevent the release or threatened release of any stored regulated substance in a manner that is no less protective of human health and the environment than the requirements in paragraphs (b) (1) through (3) of this section.
(c)
(i) Spill prevention equipment that will prevent release of product to the environment when the transfer hose is detached from the fill pipe (for example, a spill catchment basin); and
(ii) Overfill prevention equipment that will:
(A) Automatically shut off flow into the tank when the tank is no more than 95 percent full; or
(B) Alert the transfer operator when the tank is no more than 90 percent full by restricting the flow into the tank or triggering a high-level alarm; or
(C) Restrict flow 30 minutes prior to overfilling, alert the operator with a high level alarm one minute before overfilling, or automatically shut off flow into the tank so that none of the fittings located on top of the tank are exposed to product due to overfilling.
(2) Owners and operators are not required to use the spill and overfill prevention equipment specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section if:
(i) Alternative equipment is used that is determined by the implementing agency to be no less protective of human health and the environment than the equipment specified in paragraph (c)(1) (i) or (ii) of this section; or
(ii) The UST system is filled by transfers of no more than 25 gallons at one time.
(d)
Tank and piping system installation practices and procedures described in the following codes may be used to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section:
(i) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1615, “Installation of Underground Petroleum Storage System”; or
(ii) Petroleum Equipment Institute Publication RP100, “Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems”; or
(iii) American National Standards Institute Standard B31.3, “Petroleum Refinery Piping,” and American National Standards Institute Standard B31.4 “Liquid Petroleum Transportation Piping System.”
(e)
(1) The installer has been certified by the tank and piping manufacturers; or
(2) The installer has been certified or licensed by the implementing agency; or
(3) The installation has been inspected and certified by a registered professional engineer with education and experience in UST system installation; or
(4) The installation has been inspected and approved by the implementing agency; or
(5) All work listed in the manufacturer's installation checklists has been completed; or
(6) The owner and operator have complied with another method for ensuring compliance with paragraph (d) of this section that is determined by the implementing agency to be no less protective of human health and the environment.
(a)
(1) New UST system performance standards under § 280.20;
(2) The upgrading requirements in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section; or
(3) Closure requirements under subpart G of this part, including applicable requirements for corrective action under subpart F.
(b)
(1)
(i) The lining is installed in accordance with the requirements of § 280.33, and
(ii) Within 10 years after lining, and every 5 years thereafter, the lined tank is internally inspected and found to be structurally sound with the lining still performing in accordance with original design specifications.
(2)
(i) The tank is internally inspected and assessed to ensure that the tank is structurally sound and free of corrosion holes prior to installing the cathodic protection system; or
(ii) The tank has been installed for less than 10 years and is monitored monthly for releases in accordance with § 280.43 (d) through (h); or
(iii) The tank has been installed for less than 10 years and is assessed for corrosion holes by conducting two (2) tightness tests that meet the requirements of § 280.43(c). The first tightness test must be conducted prior to installing the cathodic protection system. The second tightness test must be conducted between three (3) and six (6) months following the first operation of the cathodic protection system; or
(iv) The tank is assessed for corrosion holes by a method that is determined by the implementing agency to prevent releases in a manner that is no less protective of human health and the environment than paragraphs (b)(2) (i) through (iii) of this section.
(3)
(i) The lining is installed in accordance with the requirements of § 280.33; and
(ii) The cathodic protection system meets the requirements of § 280.20(a)(2) (ii), (iii), and (iv).
The following codes and standards may be used to comply with this section:
(A) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1631, “Recommended Practice for the Interior Lining of Existing Steel Underground Storage Tanks”;
(B) National Leak Prevention Association Standard 631, “Spill Prevention, Minimum 10 Year Life Extension of Existing Steel Underground Tanks by Lining Without the Addition of Cathodic Protection”;
(C) National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard RP-02-85, “Control of External Corrosion on Metallic Buried, Partially Buried, or Submerged Liquid Storage Systems”; and
(D) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1632, “Cathodic Protection of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks and Piping Systems.”
(c)
The codes and standards listed in the note following § 280.20(b)(2) may be used to comply with this requirement.
(d)
(a) Any owner who brings an underground storage tank system into use after May 8, 1986, must within 30 days of bringing such tank into use, submit, in the form prescribed in appendix I of this part, a notice of existence of such tank system to the state or local agency or department designated in appendix II of this part to receive such notice.
Owners and operators of UST systems that were in the ground on or after May 8, 1986, unless taken out of operation on or before January 1, 1974, were required to notify the designated state or local agency in accordance with the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, Pub. L. 98-616, on a form published by EPA on November 8, 1985 (50 FR 46602) unless notice was given pursuant to section 103(c) of CERCLA. Owners and operators who have not complied with the notification requirements may use portions I through VI of the notification form contained in appendix I of this part.
(b) In states where state law, regulations, or procedures require owners to use forms that differ from those set forth in appendix I of this part to fulfill the requirements of this section, the state forms may be submitted in lieu of the forms set forth in Appendix I of this part. If a state requires that its form be used in lieu of the form presented in this regulation, such form must meet the requirements of section 9002.
(c) Owners required to submit notices under paragraph (a) of this section must provide notices to the appropriate agencies or departments identified in appendix II of this part for each tank they own. Owners may provide notice for several tanks using one notification form, but owners who own tanks located at more than one place of operation must file a separate notification form for each separate place of operation.
(d) Notices required to be submitted under paragraph (a) of this section must provide all of the information in sections I through VI of the prescribed form (or appropriate state form) for each tank for which notice must be given. Notices for tanks installed after December 22, 1988 must also provide all of the information in section VII of the prescribed form (or appropriate state form) for each tank for which notice must be given.
(e) All owners and operators of new UST systems must certify in the notification form compliance with the following requirements:
(1) Installation of tanks and piping under § 280.20(e);
(2) Cathodic protection of steel tanks and piping under § 280.20 (a) and (b);
(3) Financial responsibility under subpart H of this part; and
(4) Release detection under §§ 280.41 and 280.42.
(f) All owners and operators of new UST systems must ensure that the installer certifies in the notification form that the methods used to install the tanks and piping complies with the requirements in § 280.20(d).
(g) Beginning October 24, 1988, any person who sells a tank intended to be used as an underground storage tank must notify the purchaser of such tank of the owner's notification obligations under paragraph (a) of this section. The form provided in appendix III of this part may be used to comply with this requirement.
(a) Owners and operators must ensure that releases due to spilling or overfilling do not occur. The owner and operator must ensure that the volume available in the tank is greater than the volume of product to be transferred to the tank before the transfer is made and that the transfer operation is monitored constantly to prevent overfilling and spilling.
The transfer procedures described in National Fire Protection Association Publication 385 may be used to comply with paragraph (a) of this section. Further guidance on spill and overfill prevention appears in American Petroleum Institute Publication 1621, “Recommended Practice for Bulk Liquid Stock Control at Retail Outlets,” and National Fire Protection Association Standard 30, “Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.”
(b) The owner and operator must report, investigate, and clean up any spills and overfills in accordance with § 280.53.
All owners and operators of steel UST systems with corrosion protection must comply with the following requirements to ensure that releases due to corrosion are prevented for as long as the UST system is used to store regulated substances:
(a) All corrosion protection systems must be operated and maintained to continuously provide corrosion protection to the metal components of that portion of the tank and piping that routinely contain regulated substances and are in contact with the ground.
(b) All UST systems equipped with cathodic protection systems must be inspected for proper operation by a qualified cathodic protection tester in accordance with the following requirements:
(1)
(2)
National Association of Corrosion Engineers Standard RP-02-85, “Control of External Corrosion on Metallic Buried, Partially Buried, or Submerged Liquid Storage Systems,” may be used to comply with paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(c) UST systems with impressed current cathodic protection systems must also be inspected every 60 days to ensure the equipment is running properly.
(d) For UST systems using cathodic protection, records of the operation of the cathodic protection must be maintained (in accordance with § 280.34) to demonstrate compliance with the performance standards in this section. These records must provide the following:
(1) The results of the last three inspections required in paragraph (c) of this section; and
(2) The results of testing from the last two inspections required in paragraph (b) of this section.
Owners and operators must use an UST system made of or lined with materials that are compatible with the substance stored in the UST system.
Owners and operators storing alcohol blends may use the following codes to comply with the requirements of this section:
(a) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1626, “Storing and Handling Ethanol and Gasoline-Ethanol Blends at Distribution Terminals and Service Stations”; and
(b) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1627, “Storage and Handling of Gasoline-Methanol/Cosolvent Blends at Distribution Terminals and Service Stations.”
Owners and operators of UST systems must ensure that repairs will prevent releases due to structural failure or corrosion as long as the UST system is used to store regulated substances. The repairs must meet the following requirements:
(a) Repairs to UST systems must be properly conducted in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or an independent testing laboratory.
The following codes and standards may be used to comply with paragraph (a) of this section: National Fire Protection Association Standard 30, “Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code”; American Petroleum Institute Publication 2200, “Repairing Crude Oil, Liquified Petroleum Gas, and Product Pipelines”; American Petroleum Institute Publication 1631, “Recommended Practice for the Interior Lining of Existing Steel Underground Storage Tanks”; and National Leak Prevention Association Standard 631, “Spill Prevention, Minimum 10 Year Life Extension of Existing Steel Underground Tanks
(b) Repairs to fiberglass-reinforced plastic tanks may be made by the manufacturer's authorized representatives or in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or an independent testing laboratory.
(c) Metal pipe sections and fittings that have released product as a result of corrosion or other damage must be replaced. Fiberglass pipes and fittings may be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
(d) Repaired tanks and piping must be tightness tested in accordance with § 280.43(c) and § 280.44(b) within 30 days following the date of the completion of the repair except as provided in paragraphs (d) (1) through (3), of this section:
(1) The repaired tank is internally inspected in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or an independent testing laboratory; or
(2) The repaired portion of the UST system is monitored monthly for releases in accordance with a method specified in § 280.43 (d) through (h); or
(3) Another test method is used that is determined by the implementing agency to be no less protective of human health and the environment than those listed above.
(e) Within 6 months following the repair of any cathodically protected UST system, the cathodic protection system must be tested in accordance with § 280.31 (b) and (c) to ensure that it is operating properly.
(f) UST system owners and operators must maintain records of each repair for the remaining operating life of the UST system that demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this section.
Owners and operators of UST systems must cooperate fully with inspections, monitoring and testing conducted by the implementing agency, as well as requests for document submission, testing, and monitoring by the owner or operator pursuant to section 9005 of Subtitle I of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended.
(a)
(1) Notification for all UST systems (§ 280.22), which includes certification of installation for new UST systems (§ 280.20(e)),
(2) Reports of all releases including suspected releases (§ 280.50), spills and overfills (§ 280.53), and confirmed releases (§ 280.61);
(3) Corrective actions planned or taken including initial abatement measures (§ 280.62), initial site characterization (§ 280.63), free product removal (§ 280.64), investigation of soil and ground-water cleanup (§ 280.65), and corrective action plan (§ 280.66); and
(4) A notification before permanent closure or change-in-service (§ 280.71).
(b)
(1) A corrosion expert's analysis of site corrosion potential if corrosion protection equipment is not used (§ 280.20(a)(4); § 280.20(b)(3)).
(2) Documentation of operation of corrosion protection equipment (§ 280.31);
(3) Documentation of UST system repairs (§ 280.33(f));
(4) Recent compliance with release detection requirements (§ 280.45); and
(5) Results of the site investigation conducted at permanent closure (§ 280.74).
(c)
(1) At the UST site and immediately available for inspection by the implementing agency; or
(2) At a readily available alternative site and be provided for inspection to the implementing agency upon request.
(3) In the case of permanent closure records required under § 280.74, owners and operators are also provided with the additional alternative of mailing closure records to the implementing agency if they cannot be kept at the site or an alternative site as indicated above.
(a) Owners and operators of new and existing UST systems must provide a method, or combination of methods, of release detection that:
(1) Can detect a release from any portion of the tank and the connected underground piping that routinely contains product;
(2) Is installed, calibrated, operated, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, including routine maintenance and service checks for operability or running condition; and
(3) Meets the performance requirements in § 280.43 or 280.44, with any performance claims and their manner of determination described in writing by the equipment manufacturer or installer. In addition, methods used after the date shown in the following table corresponding with the specified method except for methods permanently installed prior to that date, must be capable of detecting the leak rate or quantity specified for that method in the corresponding section of the rule (also shown in the table) with a probability of detection (Pd) of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm (Pfa) of 0.05.
(b) When a release detection method operated in accordance with the performance standards in § 280.43 and § 280.44 indicates a release may have occurred, owners and operators must notify the implementing agency in accordance with subpart E.
(c) Owners and operators of all UST systems must comply with the release detection requirements of this subpart by December 22 of the year listed in the following table:
(d) Any existing UST system that cannot apply a method of release detection that complies with the requirements of this subpart must complete the closure procedures in subpart G by the date on which release detection is required for that UST system under paragraph (c) of this section.
Owners and operators of petroleum UST systems must provide release detection for tanks and piping as follows:
(a)
(1) UST systems that meet the performance standards in § 280.20 or § 280.21, and the monthly inventory control requirements in § 280.43 (a) or (b), may use tank tightness testing (conducted in accordance with § 280.43(c)) at least every 5 years until December 22, 1998, or until 10 years after the tank is installed or upgraded under § 280.21(b), whichever is later;
(2) UST systems that do not meet the performance standards in § 280.20 or § 280.21 may use monthly inventory controls (conducted in accordance with § 280.43(a) or (b)) and annual tank tightness testing (conducted in accordance with § 280.43(c)) until December 22, 1998 when the tank must be upgraded under § 280.21 or permanently closed under § 280.71; and
(3) Tanks with capacity of 550 gallons or less may use weekly tank gauging (conducted in accordance with § 280.43(b)).
(b)
(1)
(i) Be equipped with an automatic line leak detector conducted in accordance with § 280.44(a); and
(ii) Have an annual line tightness test conducted in accordance with § 280.44(b) or have monthly monitoring conducted in accordance with § 280.44(c).
(2)
(i) The below-grade piping operates at less than atmospheric pressure;
(ii) The below-grade piping is sloped so that the contents of the pipe will drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released;
(iii) Only one check valve is included in each suction line;
(iv) The check valve is located directly below and as close as practical to the suction pump; and
(v) A method is provided that allows compliance with paragraphs (b)(2) (ii)-(iv) of this section to be readily determined.
Owners and operators of hazardous substance UST systems must provide release detection that meets the following requirements:
(a) Release detection at existing UST systems must meet the requirements for petroleum UST systems in § 280.41. By December 22, 1998, all existing hazardous substance UST systems must meet the release detection requirements for new systems in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Release detection at new hazardous substance UST systems must meet the following requirements:
(1) Secondary containment systems must be designed, constructed and installed to:
(i) Contain regulated substances released from the tank system until they are detected and removed;
(ii) Prevent the release of regulated substances to the environment at any time during the operational life of the UST system; and
(iii) Be checked for evidence of a release at least every 30 days.
The provisions of 40 CFR 265.193, Containment and Detection of Releases, may be used to comply with these requirements.
(2) Double-walled tanks must be designed, constructed, and installed to:
(i) Contain a release from any portion of the inner tank within the outer wall; and
(ii) Detect the failure of the inner wall.
(3) External liners (including vaults) must be designed, constructed, and installed to:
(i) Contain 100 percent of the capacity of the largest tank within its boundary;
(ii) Prevent the interference of precipitation or ground-water intrusion with the ability to contain or detect a release of regulated substances; and
(iii) Surround the tank completely (i.e., it is capable of preventing lateral as well as vertical migration of regulated substances).
(4) Underground piping must be equipped with secondary containment that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section (e.g., trench liners, jacketing of double-walled pipe). In addition, underground piping that conveys regulated substances under pressure must be equipped with an automatic line leak detector in accordance with § 280.44(a).
(5) Other methods of release detection may be used if owners and operators:
(i) Demonstrate to the implementing agency that an alternate method can detect a release of the stored substance as effectively as any of the methods allowed in §§ 280.43(b) through (h) can detect a release of petroleum;
(ii) Provide information to the implementing agency on effective corrective action technologies, health risks, and chemical and physical properties of the stored substance, and the characteristics of the UST site; and,
(iii) Obtain approval from the implementing agency to use the alternate release detection method before the installation and operation of the new UST system.
Each method of release detection for tanks used to meet the requirements of § 280.41 must be conducted in accordance with the following:
(a)
(1) Inventory volume measurements for regulated substance inputs, withdrawals, and the amount still remaining in the tank are recorded each operating day;
(2) The equipment used is capable of measuring the level of product over the full range of the tank's height to the nearest one-eighth of an inch;
(3) The regulated substance inputs are reconciled with delivery receipts by measurement of the tank inventory volume before and after delivery;
(4) Deliveries are made through a drop tube that extends to within one foot of the tank bottom;
(5) Product dispensing is metered and recorded within the local standards for meter calibration or an accuracy of 6 cubic inches for every 5 gallons of product withdrawn; and
(6) The measurement of any water level in the bottom of the tank is made to the nearest one-eighth of an inch at least once a month.
Practices described in the American Petroleum Institute Publication 1621, “Recommended Practice for Bulk Liquid Stock Control at Retail Outlets,” may be used, where applicable, as guidance in meeting the requirements of this paragraph.
(b)
(1) Tank liquid level measurements are taken at the beginning and ending of a period of at least 36 hours during which no liquid is added to or removed from the tank;
(2) Level measurements are based on an average of two consecutive stick readings at both the beginning and ending of the period;
(3) The equipment used is capable of measuring the level of product over the full range of the tank's height to the nearest one-eighth of an inch;
(4) A leak is suspected and subject to the requirements of subpart E if the variation between beginning and ending measurements exceeds the weekly or monthly standards in the following table:
(5) Only tanks of 550 gallons or less nominal capacity may use this as the sole method of release detection. Tanks of 551 to 2,000 gallons may use the method in place of manual inventory control in § 280.43(a). Tanks of greater than 2,000 gallons nominal capacity may not use this method to meet the requirements of this subpart.
(c)
(d)
(1) The automatic product level monitor test can detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate from any portion of the tank that routinely contains product; and
(2) Inventory control (or another test of equivalent performance) is conducted in accordance with the requirements of § 280.43(a).
(e)
(1) The materials used as backfill are sufficiently porous (e.g., gravel, sand, crushed rock) to readily allow diffusion of vapors from releases into the excavation area;
(2) The stored regulated substance, or a tracer compound placed in the tank system, is sufficiently volatile (e.g., gasoline) to result in a vapor level that is detectable by the monitoring devices located in the excavation zone in the event of a release from the tank;
(3) The measurement of vapors by the monitoring device is not rendered inoperative by the ground water, rainfall, or soil moisture or other known interferences so that a release could go undetected for more than 30 days;
(4) The level of background contamination in the excavation zone will not interfere with the method used to detect releases from the tank;
(5) The vapor monitors are designed and operated to detect any significant increase in concentration above background of the regulated substance stored in the tank system, a component or components of that substance, or a tracer compound placed in the tank system;
(6) In the UST excavation zone, the site is assessed to ensure compliance with the requirements in paragraphs (e) (1) through (4) of this section and to establish the number and positioning of monitoring wells that will detect releases within the excavation zone from any portion of the tank that routinely contains product; and
(7) Monitoring wells are clearly marked and secured to avoid unauthorized access and tampering.
(f)
(1) The regulated substance stored is immiscible in water and has a specific gravity of less than one;
(2) Ground water is never more than 20 feet from the ground surface and the hydraulic conductivity of the soil(s) between the UST system and the monitoring wells or devices is not less than 0.01 cm/sec (e.g., the soil should consist of gravels, coarse to medium sands, coarse silts or other permeable materials);
(3) The slotted portion of the monitoring well casing must be designed to prevent migration of natural soils or filter pack into the well and to allow entry of regulated substance on the water table into the well under both high and low ground-water conditions;
(4) Monitoring wells shall be sealed from the ground surface to the top of the filter pack;
(5) Monitoring wells or devices intercept the excavation zone or are as close to it as is technically feasible;
(6) The continuous monitoring devices or manual methods used can detect the presence of at least one-eighth of an inch of free product on top of the ground water in the monitoring wells;
(7) Within and immediately below the UST system excavation zone, the site is assessed to ensure compliance with the requirements in paragraphs (f) (1) through (5) of this section and to establish the number and positioning of monitoring wells or devices that will detect releases from any portion of the tank that routinely contains product; and
(8) Monitoring wells are clearly marked and secured to avoid unauthorized access and tampering.
(g)
(1) For double-walled UST systems, the sampling or testing method can detect a release through the inner wall in any portion of the tank that routinely contains product;
The provisions outlined in the Steel Tank Institute's “Standard for Dual Wall Underground Storage Tanks” may be used as guidance for aspects of the design and construction of underground steel double-walled tanks.
(2) For UST systems with a secondary barrier within the excavation
(i) The secondary barrier around or beneath the UST system consists of artificially constructed material that is sufficiently thick and impermeable (at least 10
(ii) The barrier is compatible with the regulated substance stored so that a release from the UST system will not cause a deterioration of the barrier allowing a release to pass through undetected;
(iii) For cathodically protected tanks, the secondary barrier must be installed so that it does not interfere with the proper operation of the cathodic protection system;
(iv) The ground water, soil moisture, or rainfall will not render the testing or sampling method used inoperative so that a release could go undetected for more than 30 days;
(v) The site is assessed to ensure that the secondary barrier is always above the ground water and not in a 25-year flood plain, unless the barrier and monitoring designs are for use under such conditions; and,
(vi) Monitoring wells are clearly marked and secured to avoid unauthorized access and tampering.
(3) For tanks with an internally fitted liner, an automated device can detect a release between the inner wall of the tank and the liner, and the liner is compatible with the substance stored.
(h)
(1) It can detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate or a release of 150 gallons within a month with a probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05; or
(2) The implementing agency may approve another method if the owner and operator can demonstrate that the method can detect a release as effectively as any of the methods allowed in paragraphs (c) through (h) of this section. In comparing methods, the implementing agency shall consider the size of release that the method can detect and the frequency and reliability with which it can be detected. If the method is approved, the owner and operator must comply with any conditions imposed by the implementing agency on its use to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
Each method of release detection for piping used to meet the requirements of § 280.41 must be conducted in accordance with the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
All UST system owners and operators must maintain records in accordance with § 280.34 demonstrating compliance with all applicable requirements of this subpart. These records must include the following:
(a) All written performance claims pertaining to any release detection system used, and the manner in which these claims have been justified or tested by the equipment manufacturer or installer, must be maintained for 5 years, or for another reasonable period of time determined by the implementing agency, from the date of installation;
(b) The results of any sampling, testing, or monitoring must be maintained
(c) Written documentation of all calibration, maintenance, and repair of release detection equipment permanently located on-site must be maintained for at least one year after the servicing work is completed, or for another reasonable time period determined by the implementing agency. Any schedules of required calibration and maintenance provided by the release detection equipment manufacturer must be retained for 5 years from the date of installation.
Owners and operators of UST systems must report to the implementing agency within 24 hours, or another reasonable time period specified by the implementing agency, and follow the procedures in § 280.52 for any of the following conditions:
(a) The discovery by owners and operators or others of released regulated substances at the UST site or in the surrounding area (such as the presence of free product or vapors in soils, basements, sewer and utility lines, and nearby surface water).
(b) Unusual operating conditions observed by owners and operators (such as the erratic behavior of product dispensing equipment, the sudden loss of product from the UST system, or an unexplained presence of water in the tank), unless system equipment is found to be defective but not leaking, and is immediately repaired or replaced; and,
(c) Monitoring results from a release detection method required under § 280.41 and § 280.42 that indicate a release may have occurred unless:
(1) The monitoring device is found to be defective, and is immediately repaired, recalibrated or replaced, and additional monitoring does not confirm the initial result; or
(2) In the case of inventory control, a second month of data does not confirm the initial result.
When required by the implementing agency, owners and operators of UST systems must follow the procedures in § 280.52 to determine if the UST system is the source of off-site impacts. These impacts include the discovery of regulated substances (such as the presence of free product or vapors in soils, basements, sewer and utility lines, and nearby surface and drinking waters) that has been observed by the implementing agency or brought to its attention by another party.
Unless corrective action is initiated in accordance with subpart F, owners and operators must immediately investigate and confirm all suspected releases of regulated substances requiring reporting under § 280.50 within 7 days, or another reasonable time period specified by the implementing agency, using either the following steps or another procedure approved by the implementing agency:
(a)
(1) Owners and operators must repair, replace or upgrade the UST system, and begin corrective action in accordance with subpart F if the test results for the system, tank, or delivery piping indicate that a leak exists.
(2) Further investigation is not required if the test results for the system, tank, and delivery piping do not indicate that a leak exists and if environmental contamination is not the basis for suspecting a release.
(3) Owners and operators must conduct a site check as described in paragraph (b) of this section if the test results for the system, tank, and delivery
(b)
(1) If the test results for the excavation zone or the UST site indicate that a release has occurred, owners and operators must begin corrective action in accordance with subpart F;
(2) If the test results for the excavation zone or the UST site do not indicate that a release has occurred, further investigation is not required.
(a) Owners and operators of UST systems must contain and immediately clean up a spill or overfill and report to the implementing agency within 24 hours, or another reasonable time period specified by the implementing agency, and begin corrective action in accordance with subpart F in the following cases:
(1) Spill or overfill of petroleum that results in a release to the environment that exceeds 25 gallons or another reasonable amount specified by the implementing agency, or that causes a sheen on nearby surface water; and
(2) Spill or overfill of a hazardous substance that results in a release to the environment that equals or exceeds its reportable quantity under CERCLA (40 CFR part 302).
(b) Owners and operators of UST systems must contain and immediately clean up a spill or overfill of petroleum that is less than 25 gallons or another reasonable amount specified by the implementing agency, and a spill or overfill of a hazardous substance that is less than the reportable quantity. If cleanup cannot be accomplished within 24 hours, or another reasonable time period established by the implementing agency, owners and operators must immediately notify the implementing agency.
Pursuant to §§ 302.6 and 355.40, a release of a hazardous substance equal to or in excess of its reportable quantity must also be reported immediately (rather than within 24 hours) to the National Response Center under sections 102 and 103 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 and to appropriate state and local authorities under Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.
Owners and operators of petroleum or hazardous substance UST systems must, in response to a confirmed release from the UST system, comply with the requirements of this subpart except for USTs excluded under § 280.10(b) and UST systems subject to RCRA Subtitle C corrective action requirements under section 3004(u) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended.
Upon confirmation of a release in accordance with § 280.52 or after a release from the UST system is identified in any other manner, owners and operators must perform the following initial response actions within 24 hours of a release or within another reasonable period of time determined by the implementing agency:
(a) Report the release to the implementing agency (e.g., by telephone or electronic mail);
(b) Take immediate action to prevent any further release of the regulated substance into the environment; and
(c) Identify and mitigate fire, explosion, and vapor hazards.
(a) Unless directed to do otherwise by the implementing agency, owners and operators must perform the following abatement measures:
(1) Remove as much of the regulated substance from the UST system as is
(2) Visually inspect any aboveground releases or exposed belowground releases and prevent further migration of the released substance into surrounding soils and ground water;
(3) Continue to monitor and mitigate any additional fire and safety hazards posed by vapors or free product that have migrated from the UST excavation zone and entered into subsurface structures (such as sewers or basements);
(4) Remedy hazards posed by contaminated soils that are excavated or exposed as a result of release confirmation, site investigation, abatement, or corrective action activities. If these remedies include treatment or disposal of soils, the owner and operator must comply with applicable State and local requirements;
(5) Measure for the presence of a release where contamination is most likely to be present at the UST site, unless the presence and source of the release have been confirmed in accordance with the site check required by § 280.52(b) or the closure site assessment of § 280.72(a). In selecting sample types, sample locations, and measurement methods, the owner and operator must consider the nature of the stored substance, the type of backfill, depth to ground water and other factors as appropriate for identifying the presence and source of the release; and
(6) Investigate to determine the possible presence of free product, and begin free product removal as soon as practicable and in accordance with § 280.64.
(b) Within 20 days after release confirmation, or within another reasonable period of time determined by the implementing agency, owners and operators must submit a report to the implementing agency summarizing the initial abatement steps taken under paragraph (a) of this section and any resulting information or data.
(a) Unless directed to do otherwise by the implementing agency, owners and operators must assemble information about the site and the nature of the release, including information gained while confirming the release or completing the initial abatement measures in §§ 280.60 and 280.61. This information must include, but is not necessarily limited to the following:
(1) Data on the nature and estimated quantity of release;
(2) Data from available sources and/or site investigations concerning the following factors: surrounding populations, water quality, use and approximate locations of wells potentially affected by the release, subsurface soil conditions, locations of subsurface sewers, climatological conditions, and land use;
(3) Results of the site check required under § 280.62(a)(5); and
(4) Results of the free product investigations required under § 280.62(a)(6), to be used by owners and operators to determine whether free product must be recovered under § 280.64.
(b) Within 45 days of release confirmation or another reasonable period of time determined by the implementing agency, owners and operators must submit the information collected in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section to the implementing agency in a manner that demonstrates its applicability and technical adequacy, or in a format and according to the schedule required by the implementing agency.
At sites where investigations under § 280.62(a)(6) indicate the presence of free product, owners and operators must remove free product to the maximum extent practicable as determined by the implementing agency while continuing, as necessary, any actions initiated under §§ 280.61 through 280.63, or preparing for actions required under §§ 280.65 through 280.66. In meeting the requirements of this section, owners and operators must:
(a) Conduct free product removal in a manner that minimizes the spread of contamination into previously uncontaminated zones by using recovery and disposal techniques appropriate to the hydrogeologic conditions at the site, and that properly treats, discharges or disposes of recovery byproducts in compliance with applicable local, State and Federal regulations;
(b) Use abatement of free product migration as a minimum objective for the design of the free product removal system;
(c) Handle any flammable products in a safe and competent manner to prevent fires or explosions; and
(d) Unless directed to do otherwise by the implementing agency, prepare and submit to the implementing agency, within 45 days after confirming a release, a free product removal report that provides at least the following information:
(1) The name of the person(s) responsible for implementing the free product removal measures;
(2) The estimated quantity, type, and thickness of free product observed or measured in wells, boreholes, and excavations;
(3) The type of free product recovery system used;
(4) Whether any discharge will take place on-site or off-site during the recovery operation and where this discharge will be located;
(5) The type of treatment applied to, and the effluent quality expected from, any discharge;
(6) The steps that have been or are being taken to obtain necessary permits for any discharge; and
(7) The disposition of the recovered free product.
(a) In order to determine the full extent and location of soils contaminated by the release and the presence and concentrations of dissolved product contamination in the ground water, owners and operators must conduct investigations of the release, the release site, and the surrounding area possibly affected by the release if any of the following conditions exist:
(1) There is evidence that ground-water wells have been affected by the release (e.g., as found during release confirmation or previous corrective action measures);
(2) Free product is found to need recovery in compliance with § 280.64;
(3) There is evidence that contaminated soils may be in contact with ground water (e.g., as found during conduct of the initial response measures or investigations required under §§ 280.60 through 280.64); and
(4) The implementing agency requests an investigation, based on the potential effects of contaminated soil or ground water on nearby surface water and ground-water resources.
(b) Owners and operators must submit the information collected under paragraph (a) of this section as soon as practicable or in accordance with a schedule established by the implementing agency.
(a) At any point after reviewing the information submitted in compliance with §§ 280.61 through 280.63, the implementing agency may require owners and operators to submit additional information or to develop and submit a corrective action plan for responding to contaminated soils and ground water. If a plan is required, owners and operators must submit the plan according to a schedule and format established by the implementing agency. Alternatively, owners and operators may, after fulfilling the requirements of §§ 280.61 through 280.63, choose to submit a corrective action plan for responding to contaminated soil and ground water. In either case, owners and operators are responsible for submitting a plan that provides for adequate protection of human health and the environment as determined by the implementing agency, and must modify their plan as necessary to meet this standard.
(b) The implementing agency will approve the corrective action plan only after ensuring that implementation of the plan will adequately protect human health, safety, and the environment. In making this determination, the implementing agency should consider the following factors as appropriate:
(1) The physical and chemical characteristics of the regulated substance, including its toxicity, persistence, and potential for migration;
(2) The hydrogeologic characteristics of the facility and the surrounding area;
(3) The proximity, quality, and current and future uses of nearby surface water and ground water;
(4) The potential effects of residual contamination on nearby surface water and ground water;
(5) An exposure assessment; and
(6) Any information assembled in compliance with this subpart.
(c) Upon approval of the corrective action plan or as directed by the implementing agency, owners and operators must implement the plan, including modifications to the plan made by the implementing agency. They must monitor, evaluate, and report the results of implementing the plan in accordance with a schedule and in a format established by the implementing agency.
(d) Owners and operators may, in the interest of minimizing environmental contamination and promoting more effective cleanup, begin cleanup of soil and ground water before the corrective action plan is approved provided that they:
(1) Notify the implementing agency of their intention to begin cleanup;
(2) Comply with any conditions imposed by the implementing agency, including halting cleanup or mitigating adverse consequences from cleanup activities; and
(3) Incorporate these self-initiated cleanup measures in the corrective action plan that is submitted to the implementing agency for approval.
(a) For each confirmed release that requires a corrective action plan, the implementing agency must provide notice to the public by means designed to reach those members of the public directly affected by the release and the planned corrective action. This notice may include, but is not limited to, public notice in local newspapers, block advertisements, public service announcements, publication in a state register, letters to individual households, or personal contacts by field staff.
(b) The implementing agency must ensure that site release information and decisions concerning the corrective action plan are made available to the public for inspection upon request.
(c) Before approving a corrective action plan, the implementing agency may hold a public meeting to consider comments on the proposed corrective action plan if there is sufficient public interest, or for any other reason.
(d) The implementing agency must give public notice that complies with paragraph (a) of this section if implementation of an approved corrective action plan does not achieve the established cleanup levels in the plan and termination of that plan is under consideration by the implementing agency.
(a) When an UST system is temporarily closed, owners and operators must continue operation and maintenance of corrosion protection in accordance with § 280.31, and any release detection in accordance with subpart D. Subparts E and F must be complied with if a release is suspected or confirmed. However, release detection is not required as long as the UST system is empty. The UST system is empty when all materials have been removed using commonly employed practices so that no more than 2.5 centimeters (one inch) of residue, or 0.3 percent by weight of the total capacity of the UST system, remain in the system.
(b) When an UST system is temporarily closed for 3 months or more, owners and operators must also comply with the following requirements:
(1) Leave vent lines open and functioning; and
(2) Cap and secure all other lines, pumps, manways, and ancillary equipment.
(c) When an UST system is temporarily closed for more than 12 months, owners and operators must permanently close the UST system if it does not meet either performance standards in § 280.20 for new UST systems or the upgrading requirements in § 280.21,
(a) At least 30 days before beginning either permanent closure or a change-in-service under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, or within another reasonable time period determined by the implementing agency, owners and operators must notify the implementing agency of their intent to permanently close or make the change-in-service,
(b) To permanently close a tank, owners and operators must empty and clean it by removing all liquids and accumulated sludges. All tanks taken out of service permanently must also be either removed from the ground or filled with an inert solid material.
(c) Continued use of an UST system to store a non-regulated substance is considered a change-in-service. Before a change-in-service, owners and operators must empty and clean the tank by removing all liquid and accumulated sludge and conduct a site assessment in accordance with § 280.72.
The following cleaning and closure procedures may be used to comply with this section:
(A) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 1604, “Removal and Disposal of Used Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks”;
(B) American Petroleum Institute Publication 2015, “Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks”;
(C) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 1631, “Interior Lining of Underground Storage Tanks,” may be used as guidance for compliance with this section; and
(D) The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health “Criteria for a Recommended Standard * * * Working in Confined Space” may be used as guidance for conducting safe closure procedures at some hazardous substance tanks.
(a) Before permanent closure or a change-in-service is completed, owners and operators must measure for the presence of a release where contamination is most likely to be present at the UST site. In selecting sample types, sample locations, and measurement methods, owners and operators must consider the method of closure, the nature of the stored substance, the type of backfill, the depth to ground water, and other factors appropriate for identifying the presence of a release. The requirements of this section are satisfied if one of the external release detection methods allowed in § 280.43 (e) and (f) is operating in accordance with the requirements in § 280.43 at the time of closure, and indicates no release has occurred.
(b) If contaminated soils, contaminated ground water, or free product as a liquid or vapor is discovered under paragraph (a) of this section, or by any other manner, owners and operators must begin corrective action in accordance with subpart F.
When directed by the implementing agency, the owner and operator of an UST system permanently closed before December 22, 1988 must assess the excavation zone and close the UST system in accordance with this subpart if releases from the UST may, in the judgment of the implementing agency, pose a current or potential threat to human health and the environment.
Owners and operators must maintain records in accordance with § 280.34 that are capable of demonstrating compliance with closure requirements under this subpart. The results of the excavation zone assessment required in § 280.72 must be maintained for at least 3 years after completion of permanent closure or change-in-service in one of the following ways:
(a) By the owners and operators who took the UST system out of service;
(b) By the current owners and operators of the UST system site; or
(c) By mailing these records to the implementing agency if they cannot be maintained at the closed facility.
(a) This subpart applies to owners and operators of all petroleum underground storage tank (UST) systems except as otherwise provided in this section.
(b) Owners and operators of petroleum UST systems are subject to these requirements if they are in operation on or after the date for compliance established in § 280.91.
(c) State and Federal government entities whose debts and liabilities are the debts and liabilities of a state or the United States are exempt from the requirements of this subpart.
(d) The requirements of this subpart do not apply to owners and operators of any UST system described in § 280.10 (b) or (c).
(e) If the owner and operator of a petroleum underground storage tank are separate persons, only one person is required to demonstrate financial responsibility; however, both parties are liable in event of noncompliance. Regardless of which party complies, the date set for compliance at a particular facility is determined by the characteristics of the owner as set forth in § 280.91.
Owners of petroleum underground storage tanks are required to comply with the requirements of this subpart by the following dates:
(a) All petroleum marketing firms owning 1,000 or more USTs and all other UST owners that report a tangible net worth of $20 million or more to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dun and Bradstreet, the Energy Information Administration, or the Rural Electrification Administration; January 24, 1989, except that compliance with § 280.94(b) is required by: July 24, 1989.
(b) All petroleum marketing firms owning 100-999 USTs; October 26, 1989.
(c) All petroleum marketing firms owning 13-99 USTs at more than one facility; April 26, 1991.
(d) All petroleum UST owners not described in paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section, excluding local government entities; December 31, 1993.
(e) All local government entities (including Indian tribes) not included in paragraph (f) of this section; February 18, 1994.
(f) Indian tribes that own USTs on Indian lands which meet the applicable technical requirements of this part; December 31, 1998.
When used in this subpart, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
(1) a 10-K report submitted to the SEC;
(2) an annual report of tangible net worth submitted to Dun and Bradstreet; or
(3) annual reports submitted to the Energy Information Administration or the Rural Electrification Administration.
(1) By EPA or a state to require corrective action or to recover the costs of corrective action;
(2) By or on behalf of a third party for bodily injury or property damage caused by an accidental release; or
(3) By any person to enforce the terms of a financial assurance mechanism.
This definition is intended to assist in the understanding of these regulations and is not intended either to limit the meaning of “occurrence” in a way that conflicts with standard insurance usage or to prevent the use of other standard insurance terms in place of “occurrence.”
(a) Owners or operators of petroleum underground storage tanks must demonstrate financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum underground storage tanks in at least the following per-occurrence amounts:
(1) For owners or operators of petroleum underground storage tanks that are located at petroleum marketing facilities, or that handle an average of more than 10,000 gallons of petroleum per month based on annual throughput for the previous calendar year; $1 million.
(2) For all other owners or operators of petroleum underground storage tanks; $500,000.
(b) Owners or operators of petroleum underground storage tanks must demonstrate financial responsibility for taking corrective action and for compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum underground storage tanks in at least the following annual aggregate amounts:
(1) For owners or operators of 1 to 100 petroleum underground storage tanks, $1 million; and
(2) For owners or operators of 101 or more petroleum underground storage tanks, $2 million.
(c) For the purposes of paragraphs (b) and (f) of this section, only, “a petroleum underground storage tank” means a single containment unit and does not mean combinations of single containment units.
(d) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, if the owner or operator uses separate mechanisms or separate combinations of mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility for:
(1) Taking corrective action;
(2) Compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by sudden accidental releases; or
(3) Compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by nonsudden accidental releases, the amount of assurance provided by each mechanism or combination of mechanisms must be in the full amount specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
(e) If an owner or operator uses separate mechanisms or separate combinations of mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility for different petroleum underground storage tanks, the annual aggregate required shall be based on the number of tanks covered by each such separate mechanism or combination of mechanisms.
(f) Owners or operators shall review the amount of aggregate assurance provided whenever additional petroleum underground storage tanks are acquired or installed. If the number of petroleum underground storage tanks for which assurance must be provided exceeds 100, the owner or operator shall demonstrate financial responsibility in the amount of at least $2 million of annual aggregate assurance by the anniversary of the date on which the mechanism demonstrating financial responsibility became effective. If assurance is being demonstrated by a combination of mechanisms, the owner or operator shall demonstrate financial responsibility in the amount of at least
(g) The amounts of assurance required under this section exclude legal defense costs.
(h) The required per-occurrence and annual aggregate coverage amounts do not in any way limit the liability of the owner or operator.
(a) Subject to the limitations of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section,
(1) An owner or operator, including a local government owner or operator, may use any one or combination of the mechanisms listed in §§ 280.95 through 280.103 to demonstrate financial responsibility under this subpart for one or more underground storage tanks, and
(2) A local government owner or operator may use any one or combination of the mechanisms listed in §§ 280.104 through 280.107 to demonstrate financial responsibility under this subpart for one or more underground storage tanks.
(b) An owner or operator may use a guarantee under § 280.96 or surety bond under § 280.98 to establish financial responsibility only if the Attorney(s) General of the state(s) in which the underground storage tanks are located has (have) submitted a written statement to the implementing agency that a guarantee or surety bond executed as described in this section is a legally valid and enforceable obligation in that state.
(c) An owner or operator may use self-insurance in combination with a guarantee only if, for the purpose of meeting the requirements of the financial test under this rule, the financial statements of the owner or operator are not consolidated with the financial statements of the guarantor.
(a) An owner or operator, and/or guarantor, may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by passing a financial test as specified in this section. To pass the financial test of self-insurance, the owner or operator, and/or guarantor must meet the criteria of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section based on year-end financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year.
(b)(1) The owner or operator, and/or guarantor, must have a tangible net worth of at least ten times:
(i) The total of the applicable aggregate amount required by § 280.93, based on the number of underground storage tanks for which a financial test is used to demonstrate financial responsibility to EPA under this section or to a state implementing agency under a state program approved by EPA under 40 CFR part 281;
(ii) The sum of the corrective action cost estimates, the current closure and post-closure care cost estimates, and amount of liability coverage for which a financial test is used to demonstrate financial responsibility to EPA under 40 CFR 264.101, 264.143, 264.145, 265.143, 165.145, 264.147, and 265.147 or to a state implementing agency under a state program authorized by EPA under 40 CFR part 271; and
(iii) The sum of current plugging and abandonment cost estimates for which a financial test is used to demonstrate financial responsibility to EPA under 40 CFR 144.63 or to a state implementing agency under a state program authorized by EPA under 40 CFR part 145.
(2) The owner or operator, and/or guarantor, must have a tangible net worth of at least $10 million.
(3) The owner or operator, and/or guarantor, must have a letter signed by the chief financial officer worded as specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
(4) The owner or operator, and/or guarantor, must either:
(i) File financial statements annually with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Energy Information Administration, or the Rural Electrification Administration; or
(ii) Report annually the firm's tangible net worth to Dun and Bradstreet, and Dun and Bradstreet must have assigned the firm a financial strength rating of 4A or 5A.
(5) The firm's year-end financial statements, if independently audited, cannot include an adverse auditor's opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or a “going concern” qualification.
(c)(1) The owner or operator, and/or guarantor must meet the financial test requirements of 40 CFR 264.147(f)(1), substituting the appropriate amounts specified in § 280.93 (b)(1) and (b)(2) for the “amount of liability coverage” each time specified in that section.
(2) The fiscal year-end financial statements of the owner or operator, and/or guarantor, must be examined by an independent certified public accountant and be accompanied by the accountant's report of the examination.
(3) The firm's year-end financial statements cannot include an adverse auditor's opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or a “going concern” qualification.
(4) The owner or operator, and/or guarantor, must have a letter signed by the chief financial officer, worded as specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
(5) If the financial statements of the owner or operator, and/or guarantor, are not submitted annually to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Energy Information Administration or the Rural Electrification Administration, the owner or operator, and/or guarantor, must obtain a special report by an independent certified public accountant stating that:
(i) He has compared the data that the letter form the chief financial officer specifies as having been derived from the latest year-end financial statements of the owner or operator, and/or guarantor, with the amounts in such financial statements; and
(ii) In connection with that comparison, no matters came to his attention which caused him to believe that the specified data should be adjusted.
(d) To demonstrate that it meets the financial test under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, the chief financial officer of the owner or operator, or guarantor, must sign, within 120 days of the close of each financial reporting year, as defined by the twelve-month period for which financial statements used to support the financial test are prepared, a letter worded exactly as follows, except that the instructions in brackets are to be replaced by the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
I am the chief financial officer of [insert: name and address of the owner or operator, or guarantor]. This letter is in support of the use of [insert: “the financial test of self-insurance,” and/or “guarantee”] to demonstrate financial responsibility for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage”] caused by [insert: “suddent accidential releases” and/or “nonsudden accidential releases”] in the amount of at least [insert: dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert: dollar amount] annual aggregate arising from operating (an) underground storage tank(s).
Underground storage tanks at the following facilities are assured by this financial test or a financial test under an authorized State program by this [insert: “owner or operator,” and/or “guarantor”]: [List for each facility: the name and address of the facility where tanks assured by this financial test are located, and whether tanks are assured by this financial test or a financial test under a State program approved under 40 CFR part 281. If separate mechanisms or combinations of mechanisms are being used to assure any of the tanks at this facility, list each tank assured by this financial test or a financial test under a State program authorized under 40 CFR part 281 by the tank identification number provided in the notification submitted pursuant to 40 CFR 280.22 or the corresponding State requirements.]
A [insert: “financial test,” and/or “guarantee”] is also used by this [insert: “owner or operator,” or “guarantor”] to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in the following amounts under other EPA regulations or state programs authorized by EPA under 40 CFR parts 271 and 145:
This [insert: “owner or operator,” or “guarantor”] has not received an adverse opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or a “going
[Fill in the information for Alternative I if the criteria of paragraph (b) of § 280.95 are being used to demonstrate compliance with the financial test requirements. Fill in the information for Alternative II if the criteria of paragraph (c) of § 280.95 are being used to demonstrate compliance with the financial test requirements.]
[If “No,” please attach a report from an independent certified public accountant certifying that there are no material differences between the data as reported in lines 4-18 above and the financial statements for the latest fiscal year.]
[For both Alternative I and Alternative II complete the certification with this statement.]
I hereby certify that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR part 280.95(d) as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.
[Signature]
[Name]
[Title]
[Date]
(e) If an owner or operator using the test to provide financial assurance finds that he or she no longer meets the requirements of the financial test based on the year-end financial statements, the owner or operator must obtain alternative coverage within 150 days of the end of the year for which financial statements have been prepared.
(f) The Director of the implementing agency may require reports of financial condition at any time from the owner or operator, and/or guarantor. If the Director finds, on the basis of such reports or other information, that the owner or operator, and/or guarantor, no longer meets the financial test requirements of § 280.95(b) or (c) and (d), the owner or operator must obtain alternate coverage within 30 days after notification of such a finding.
(g) If the owner or operator fails to obtain alternate assurance within 150 days of finding that he or she no longer meets the requirements of the financial test based on the year-end financial statements, or within 30 days of notification by the Director of the implementing agency that he or she no longer meets the requirements of the financial test, the owner or operator must notify the Director of such failure within 10 days.
(a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by obtaining a guarantee that conforms to the requirements of this section. The guarantor must be:
(1) A firm that (i) possesses a controlling interest in the owner or operator; (ii) possesses a controlling interest in a firm described under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section; or, (iii) is controlled through stock ownership by a common parent firm that possesses a controlling interest in the owner or operator; or,
(2) A firm engaged in a substantial business relationship with the owner or operator and issuing the guarantee as an act incident to that business relationship.
(b) Within 120 days of the close of each financial reporting year the guarantor must demonstrate that it meets the financial test criteria of § 280.95 based on year-end financial statements for the latest completed financial reporting year by completing the letter from the chief financial officer described in § 280.95(d) and must deliver the letter to the owner or operator. If the guarantor fails to meet the requirements of the financial test at the end of any financial reporting year, within 120 days of the end of that financial reporting year the guarantor shall send by certified mail, before cancellation or nonrenewal of the guarantee, notice to the owner or operator. If the Director of the implementing agency notifies the guarantor that he no longer meets the requirements of the financial test of § 280.95 (b) or (c) and (d), the guarantor must notify the owner or operator within 10 days of receiving such notification from the Director. In both cases, the guarantee will terminate no less than 120 days after the date the owner or operator receives the notification, as evidenced by the return receipt. The owner or operator must obtain alternative coverage as specified in § 280.110(c).
(c) The guarantee must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Guarantee made this [date] by [name of guaranteeing entity], a business entity organized under the laws of the state of [name of state], herein referred to as guarantor, to [the state implementing agency] and to any and all third parties, and obligees, on behalf of [owner or operator] of [business address].
(1) Guarantor meets or exceeds the financial test criteria of 40 CFR 280.95 (b) or (c) and (d) and agrees to comply with the requirements for guarantors as specified in 40 CFR 280.96(b).
(2) [Owner or operator] owns or operates the following underground storage tank(s) covered by this guarantee: [List the number of tanks at each facility and the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies) where the tanks are located. If more than one instrument is used to assure different tanks at any one facility, for each tank covered by this instrument, list the tank identification number provided in the notification submitted pursuant to 40 CFR 280.22 or the corresponding state requirement, and the name and address of the facility.] This guarantee satisfies 40 CFR part 280, subpart H requirements for assuring funding for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases”; if coverage is different for different tanks or locations, indicate the type of coverage applicable to each tank or location] arising from operating the above-identified underground storage tank(s) in the amount of [insert dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert dollar amount] annual aggregate.
(3) [Insert appropriate phrase: “On behalf of our subsidiary” (if guarantor is corporate parent of the owner or operator); “On behalf of our affiliate” (if guarantor is a related firm of the owner or operator); or “Incident to our business relationship with” (if guarantor is providing the guarantee as an incident to a substantial business relationship with owner or operator)] [owner or operator], guarantor guarantees to [implementing agency] and to any and all third parties that:
In the event that [owner or operator] fails to provide alternative coverage within 60 days after receipt of a notice of cancellation of this guarantee and the [Director of the implementing agency] has determined or suspects that a release has occurred at an underground storage tank covered by this guarantee, the guarantor, upon instructions from the [Director], shall fund a standby trust fund in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR 280.108, in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
In the event that the [Director] determines that [owner or operator] has failed to perform corrective action for releases arising out of the operation of the above-identified tank(s) in accordance with 40 CFR part 280, subpart F, the guarantor upon written instructions from the [Director] shall fund a standby trust in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR 280.108, in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
If [owner or operator] fails to satisfy a judgment or award based on a determination of liability for bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by [“sudden” and/or “nonsudden”] accidential releases arising from the operation of the above-identified tank(s), or fails to pay an amount agreed to in settlement of a claim arising from or alleged to arise from such injury or damage, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the [Director], shall fund a standby trust in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR 280.108 to satisfy such judgment(s), award(s), or settlement agreement(s) up to the limits of coverage specified above.
(4) Guarantor agrees that if, at the end of any fiscal year before cancellation of this guarantee, the guarantor fails to meet the financial test criteria of 40 CFR 280.95 (b) or (c) and (d), guarantor shall send within 120 days of such failure, by certified mail, notice to [owner or operator]. The guarantee will terminate 120 days from the date of receipt of the notice by [owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt.
(5) Guarantor agrees to notify [owner or operator] by certified mail of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.
(6) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any modification or alteration of any obligation of [owner or operator] pursuant to 40 CFR part 280.
(7) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as [owner or operator] must comply with the applicable financial responsibility requirements of 40 CFR part 280, subpart H for the above-identified tank(s), except that guarantor may cancel this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to [owner or operator], such cancellation to become effective no earlier than 120 days after receipt of such notice by [owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt.
(8) The guarantor's obligation does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [insert owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaded to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert
(e) Bodily damage or property damage for which [insert owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR 280.93.
(9) Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by [the implementing agency], by any or all third parties, or by [owner or operator].
I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR 280.96(c) as such regulations were constituted on the effective date shown immediately below.
(d) An owner or operator who uses a guarantee to satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 must establish a standby trust fund when the guarantee is obtained. Under the terms of the guarantee, all amounts paid by the guarantor under the guarantee will be deposited directly into the standby trust fund in accordance with instructions from the Director of the implementing agency under § 280.108. This standby trust fund must meet the requirements specified in § 280.103.
(a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 290.93 by obtaining liability insurance that conforms to the requirements of this section from a qualified insurer or risk retention group. Such insurance may be in the form of a separate insurance policy or an endorsement to an existing insurance policy.
(b) Each insurance policy must be amended by an endorsement worded as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, or evidenced by a certificate of insurance worded as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, except that instructions in brackets must be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
(1) Endorsement
1. This endorsement certifies that the policy to which the endorsement is attached provides liability insurance covering the following underground storage tanks:
The limits of liability are [insert the dollar amount of the “each occurrence” and “annual aggregate” limits of the Insurer's or Group's liability; if the amount of coverage is different for different types of coverage or for different underground storage tanks or locations, indicate the amount of coverage for each type of coverage and/or for each underground storage tank or location], exclusive of legal defense costs, which are subject to a separate limit under the policy. This coverage is provided under [policy number]. The effective date of said policy is [date].
2. The insurance afforded with respect to such occurrences is subject to all of the terms and conditions of the policy; provided, however, that any provisions inconsistent
a. Bankruptcy or insolvency of the insured shall not relieve the [“Insurer” or “Group”] of its obligations under the policy to which this endorsement is attached.
b. The [“Insurer” or “Group”] is liable for the payment of amounts within any deductible applicable to the policy to the provider of corrective action or a damaged third-party, with a right of reimbursement by the insured for any such payment made by the [“Insurer” or “Group”]. This provision does not apply with respect to that amount of any deductible for which coverage is demonstrated under another mechanism or combination of mechanisms as specified in 40 CFR 280.95-280.102.
c. Whenever requested by [a Director of an implementing agency], the [“Insurer” or “Group”] agrees to furnish to [the Director] a signed duplicate original of the policy and all endorsements.
d. Cancellation or any other termination of the insurance by the [“Insurer” or “Group”], except for non-payment of premium or misrepresentation by the insured, will be effective only upon written notice and only after the expiration of 60 days after a copy of such written notice is received by the insured. Cancellation for non-payment of premium or misrepresentation by the insured will be effective only upon written notice and only after expiration of a minimum of 10 days after a copy of such written notice is received by the insured.
[Insert for claims-made policies:
e. The insurance covers claims otherwise covered by the policy that are reported to the [“Insurer” or “Group”] within six months of the effective date of cancellation or non-renewal of the policy except where the new or renewed policy has the same retroactive date or a retroactive date earlier than that of the prior policy, and which arise out of any covered occurrence that commenced after the policy retroactive date, if applicable, and prior to such policy renewal or termination date. Claims reported during such extended reporting period are subject to the terms, conditions, limits, including limits of liability, and exclusions of the policy.]
I hereby certify that the wording of this instrument is identical to the wording in 40 CFR 280.97(b)(1) and that the [“Insurer” or “Group”] is [“licensed to transact the business of insurance or eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer in one or more states”].
(2) Certificate of Insurance
1. [Name of Insurer or Risk Retention Group], [the “Insurer” or “Group”], as identified above, hereby certifies that it has issued liability insurance covering the following underground storage tank(s):
The limits of liability are [insert the dollar amount of the “each occurrence” and “annual aggregate” limits of the Insurer's or Group's liability; if the amount of coverage is different for different types of coverage or for different underground storage tanks or locations, indicate the amount of coverage for each type of coverage and/or for each underground storage tank or location], exclusive of legal defense costs, which are subject to a separate limit under the policy. This coverage is provided under [policy number]. The effective date of said policy is [date].
2. The [“Insurer” or “Group”] further certifies the following with respect to the insurance described in Paragraph 1:
a. Bankruptcy or insolvency of the insured shall not relieve the [“Insurer” or “Group”] of its obligations under the policy to which this certificate applies.
b. The [“Insurer” or “Group”] is liable for the payment of amounts within any deductible applicable to the policy to the provider of corrective action or a damaged third-party, with a right of reimbursement by the insured for any such payment made by the [“Insurer” or “Group”]. This provision does not apply with respect to that amount of any deductible for which coverage is demonstrated under another mechanism or combination of mechanisms as specified in 40 CFR 280.95-280.102.
c. Whenever requested by [a Director of an implementing agency], the [“Insurer” or “Group”] agrees to furnish to [the Director] a signed duplicate original of the policy and all endorsements.
d. Cancellation or any other termination of the insurance by the [“Insurer” or “Group”], except for non-payment of premium or misrepresentation by the insured, will be effective only upon written notice and only after the expiration of 60 days after a copy of such written notice is received by the insured. Cancellation for non-payment of premium or misrepresentation by the insured will be effective only upon written notice and only after expiration of a minimum of 10 days after a copy of such written notice is received by the insured.
[Insert for claims-made policies:
e. The insurance covers claims otherwise covered by the policy that are reported to the [“Insurer” or “Group”] within six months of the effective date of cancellation or non-renewal of the policy except where the new or renewed policy has the same retroactive date or a retroactive date earlier than that of the prior policy, and which arise out of any covered occurrence that commenced after the policy retroactive date, if applicable, and prior to such policy renewal or termination date. Claims reported during such extended reporting period are subject to the terms, conditions, limits, including limits of liability, and exclusions of the policy.]
I hereby certify that the wording of this instrument is identical to the wording in 40 CFR 280.97(b)(2) and that the [“Insurer” or “Group”] is [“licensed to transact the business of insurance, or eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer, in one or more states”].
(c) Each insurance policy must be issued by an insurer or a risk retention group that, at a minimum, is licensed to transact the business of insurance or eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer in one or more states.
(a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by obtaining a surety bond that conforms to the requirements of this section. The surety company issuing the bond must be among those listed as acceptable sureties on federal bonds in the latest Circular 570 of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
(b) The surety bond must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets must be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Know All Persons by These Presents, that we, the Principal and Surety(ies), hereto are firmly bound to [the implementing agency], in the above penal sums for the payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns jointly and severally; provided that, where the Surety(ies) are corporations acting as co-sureties, we, the Sureties, bind ourselves in such sums jointly and severally only for the purpose of allowing a joint action or actions against any or all of us, and for all other purposes each Surety binds itself, jointly and severally with the Principal, for the payment of such sums only as is set forth opposite the name of such Surety, but if no limit of liability is indicated, the limit of liability shall be the full amount of the penal sums.
Whereas said Principal is required under Subtitle I of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, to provide financial assurance for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases”; if coverage is different for different tanks or locations, indicate the type of coverage applicable to each tank or location] arising from operating the underground storage tanks identified above, and
Whereas said Principal shall establish a standby trust fund as is required when a surety bond is used to provide such financial assurance;
Now, therefore, the conditions of the obligation are such that if the Principal shall faithfully [“take corrective action, in accordance with 40 CFR part 280, subpart F and the Director of the state implementing agency's instructions for,” and/or “compensate injured third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden” or “nonsudden” or “sudden and nonsudden”] accidental releases arising from operating the tank(s) indentified above, or if the Principal shall provide alternate financial assurance, as specified in 40 CFR part 280, subpart H, within 120 days after the date the notice of cancellation is received by the Principal from the Surety(ies), then this obligation shall be null and void; otherwise it is to remain in full force and effect.
Such obligation does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [insert owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a release from a petroleum underground storage tank;
(e) Bodily injury or property damage for which [insert owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR 280.93.
The Surety(ies) shall become liable on this bond obligation only when the Principal has failed to fulfill the conditions described above.
Upon notification by [the Director of the implementing agency] that the Principal has failed to [“take corrective action, in accordance with 40 CFR part 280, subpart F and the Director's instructions,” and/or “compensate injured third parties”] as guaranteed by this bond, the Surety(ies) shall either perform [“corrective action in accordance with 40 CFR part 280 and the Director's instructions,” and/or “third-party liability compensation”] or place funds in an amount up to the annual aggregate penal sum into the standby trust fund as directed by [the Regional Administrator or the Director] under 40 CFR 280.108.
Upon notification by [the Director] that the Principal has failed to provide alternate financial assurance within 60 days after the date the notice of cancellation is received by the Principal from the Surety(ies) and that [the Director] has determined or suspects that a release has occurred, the Surety(ies) shall place funds in an amount not exceeding the annual aggregate penal sum into the standby trust fund as directed by [the Director] under 40 CFR 280.108.
The Surety(ies) hereby waive(s) notification of amendments to applicable laws, statutes, rules, and regulations and agrees that no such amendment shall in any way alleviate its (their) obligation on this bond.
The liability of the Surety(ies) shall not be discharged by any payment or succession of payments hereunder, unless and until such payment or payments shall amount in the annual aggregate to the penal sum shown on the face of the bond, but in no event shall the obligation of the Surety(ies) hereunder exceed the amount of said annual aggregate penal sum.
The Surety(ies) may cancel the bond by sending notice of cancellation by certified mail to the Principal, provided, however, that cancellation shall not occur during the 120 days beginning on the date of receipt of the notice of cancellation by the Principal, as evidenced by the return receipt.
The Principal may terminate this bond by sending written notice to the Surety(ies).
In Witness Thereof, the Principal and Surety(ies) have executed this Bond and have affixed their seals on the date set forth above.
The persons whose signatures appear below hereby certify that they are authorized to execute this surety bond on behalf of the Principal and Surety(ies) and that the wording of this surety bond is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR 280.98(b) as such regulations were constituted on the date this bond was executed.
[For every co-surety, provide signature(s), corporate seal, and other information in the same manner as for Surety above.]
(c) Under the terms of the bond, the surety will become liable on the bond obligation when the owner or operator fails to perform as guaranteed by the bond. In all cases, the surety's liability is limited to the per-occurrence and annual aggregate penal sums.
(d) The owner or operator who uses a surety bond to satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 must establish a standby trust fund when the surety bond is acquired. Under the terms of the bond, all amounts paid by the surety under the bond will be deposited directly into the standby trust fund in accordance with instructions from the Director under § 280.108. This standby trust fund must meet the requirements specified in § 280.103.
(a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by obtaining an irrevocable standby letter of credit that conforms to the requirements of this section. The issuing institution must be an entity that has the authority to issue letters of credit in each state where used and whose letter-of-credit operations are regulated and examined by a federal or state agency.
(b) The letter of credit must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Dear Sir or Madam: We hereby establish our Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit No. ___ in your favor, at the request and for the account of [owner or operator name] of [address] up to the aggregate amount of [in words] U.S. dollars ($[insert dollar amount]), available upon presentation [insert, if more than one Director of a state implementing agency is a beneficiary, “by any one of you”] of
(1) your sight draft, bearing reference to this letter of credit, No. ___, and
(2) your signed statement reading as follows: “I certify that the amount of the draft is payable persuant to regulations issued under authority of Subtitle I of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended.”
This letter of credit may be drawn on to cover [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases”] arising from operating the underground storage tank(s) identified below in the amount of [in words] $[insert dollar amount] per occurrence and [in words] $[insert dollar amount] annual aggregate:
[List the number of tanks at each facility and the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies) where the tanks are located. If more than one instrument is used to assure different tanks at any one facility, for each tank covered by this instrument, list the tank identification number provided in the notification submitted pursuant to 40 CFR 280.22, or the corresponding state requirement, and the name and address of the facility.]
The letter of credit may not be drawn on to cover any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [insert owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a release from a petroleum underground storage tank;
(e) Bodily injury or property damage for which [insert owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR 280.93.
This letter of credit is effective as of [date] and shall expire on [date], but such expiration date shall be automatically extended for a period of [at least the length of the original term] on [expiration date] and on each successive expiration date, unless, at least 120 days before the curent expiration date, we notify [owner or operator] by certified mail that we have decided not to extend this letter of credit beyond the current expiration date. In the event that [owner or operator] is so notified, any unused portion of the credit shall be available upon presentation of your sight draft for 120 days after the date of receipt by [owner or operator], as shown on the signed return receipt.
Whenever this letter of credit is drawn on under and in compliance with the terms of this credit, we shall duly honor such draft upon presentation to us, and we shall deposit the amount of the draft directly into the standby trust fund of [owner or operator] in accordance with your instructions.
We certify that the wording of this letter of credit is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR 280.99(b) as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.
This credit is subject to [insert “the most recent edition of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, published and copyrighted by the International Chamber of Commerce,” or “the Uniform Commercial Code”].
(c) An owner or operator who uses a letter of credit to satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 must also establish a standby trust fund when the letter of credit is acquired. Under the terms of the letter of credit, all amounts paid pursuant to a draft by the Director of the implementing agency will be deposited by the issuing institution directly into the standby trust fund in accordance with instructions from the Director under § 280.108. This standby trust fund must meet the requirements specified in § 280.103.
(d) The letter of credit must be irrevocable with a term specified by the issuing institution. The letter of credit must provide that credit be automatically renewed for the same term as the original term, unless, at least 120 days before the current expiration date, the issuing institution notifies the owner or operator by certified mail of its decision not to renew the letter of credit. Under the terms of the letter of credit, the 120 days will begin on the date when the owner or operator receives the notice, as evidenced by the return receipt.
(a) For underground storage tanks located in a state that does not have an approved program, and where the state requires owners or operators of underground storage tanks to demonstrate financial responsibility for taking corrective action and/or for compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage, an owner or operator may use a state-required financial mechanism to meet the requirements of § 280.93 if the Regional Administrator determines that the state mechanism is at least equivalent to the financial mechanisms specified in this subpart.
(b) The Regional Administrator will evaluate the equivalency of a state-required mechanism principally in terms of: certainty of the availability of funds for taking corrective action and/or for compensating third parties; the amount of funds that will be made available; and the types of costs covered. The Regional Administrator may also consider other factors as is necessary.
(c) The state, an owner or operator, or any other interested party may submit to the Regional Administrator a written petition requesting that one or more of the state-required mechanisms be considered acceptable for meeting the requirements of § 280.93. The submission must include copies of the appropriate state statutory and regulatory requirements and must show the amount of funds for corrective action and/or for compensating third parties
(d) Any petition under this section may be submitted on behalf of all of the state's underground storage tank owners and operators.
(e) The Regional Administrator will notify the petitioner of his determination regarding the mechanism's acceptability in lieu of financial mechanisms specified in this subpart. Pending this determination, the owners and operators using such mechanisms will be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of § 280.93 for underground storage tanks located in the state for the amounts and types of costs covered by such mechanisms.
(a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 for underground storage tanks located in a state, where EPA is administering the requirements of this subpart, which assures that monies will be available from a state fund or state assurance program to cover costs up to the limits specified in § 280.93 or otherwise assures that such costs will be paid if the Regional Administrator determines that the state's assurance is at least equivalent to the financial mechanisms specified in this subpart.
(b) The Regional Administrator will evaluate the equivalency of a state fund or other state assurance principally in terms of: Certainty of the availability of funds for taking corrective action and/or for compensating third parties; the amount of funds that will be made available; and the types of costs covered. The Regional Administrator may also consider other factors as is necessary.
(c) The state must submit to the Regional Administrator a description of the state fund or other state assurance to be supplied as financial assurance, along with a list of the classes of underground storage tanks to which the funds may be applied. The Regional Administrator may require the state to submit additional information as is deemed necessary to make a determination regarding the acceptability of the state fund or other state assurance. Pending the determination by the Regional Administrator, the owner or operator of a covered class of USTs will be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of § 280.93 for the amounts and types of costs covered by the state fund or other state assurance.
(d) The Regional Administrator will notify the state of his determination regarding the acceptability of the state's fund or other assurance in lieu of financial mechanisms specified in this subpart. Within 60 days after the Regional Administrator notifies a state that a state fund or other state assurance is acceptable, the state must provide to each owner or operator for which it is assuming financial responsibility a letter or certificate describing the nature of the state's assumption of responsibility. The letter or certificate from the state must include, or have attached to it, the following information: the facility's name and address and the amount of funds for corrective action and/or for compensating third parties that is assured by the state. The owner or operator must maintain this letter or certificate on file as proof of financial responsibility in accordance with § 280.107(b)(5).
(a) An owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by establishing a trust fund that conforms to the requirements of this section. The trustee must be an entity that has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations are regulated and examined by a federal agency or an agency of the state in which the fund is established.
(b) The wording of the trust agreement must be identical to the wording specified in § 280.103(b)(1), and must be accompanied by a formal certification of acknowledgement as specified in § 280.103(b)(2).
(c) The trust fund, when established, must be funded for the full required amount of coverage, or funded for part of the required amount of coverage and
(d) If the value of the trust fund is greater than the required amount of coverage, the owner or operator may submit a written request to the Director of the implementing agency for release of the excess.
(e) If other financial assurance as specified in this subpart is substituted for all or part of the trust fund, the owner or operator may submit a written request to the Director of the implementing agency for release of the excess.
(f) Within 60 days after receiving a request from the owner or operator for release of funds as specified in paragraph (d) or (e) of this section, the Director of the implementing agency will instruct the trustee to release to the owner or operator such funds as the Director specifies in writing.
(a) An owner or operator using any one of the mechanisms authorized by §§ 280.96, 280.98, or 280.99 must establish a standby trust fund when the mechanism is acquired. The trustee of the standby trust fund must be an entity that has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations are regulated and examined by a Federal agency or an agency of the state in which the fund is established.
(b)(1) The standby trust agreement, or trust agreement, must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Trust agreement, the “Agreement,” entered into as of [date] by and between [name of the owner or operator], a [name of state] [insert “corporation,” “partnership,” “association,” or “proprietorship”], the “Grantor,” and [name of corporate trustee], [insert “Incorporated in the state of ___” or “a national bank”], the “Trustee.”
Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “EPA,” an agency of the United States Government, has established certain regulations applicable to the Grantor, requiring that an owner or operator of an underground storage tank shall provide assurance that funds will be available when needed for corrective action and third-party compensation for bodily injury and property damage caused by sudden and nonsudden accidental releases arising from the operation of the underground storage tank. The attached Schedule A lists the number of tanks at each facility and the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies) where the tanks are located that are covered by the standpoint trust agreement.
[Whereas, the Grantor has elected to establish [insert either “a guarantee,” “surety bond,” or “letter of credit”] to provide all or part of such financial assurance for the underground storage tanks identified herein and is required to establish a standby trust fund able to accept payments from the instrument (This paragraph is only applicable to the standby trust agreement.)];
Whereas, the Grantor, acting through its duly authorized officers, has selected the Trustee to be the trustee under this agreement, and the Trustee is willing to act as trustee;
Now, therefore, the Grantor and the Trustee agree as follows:
As used in this Agreement:
(a) The term “Grantor” means the owner or operator who enters into this Agreement and any successors or assigns of the Grantor.
(b) The term “Trustee” means the Trustee who enters into this Agreement and any successor Trustee.
This Agreement pertains to the [identify the financial assurance mechanism, either a guarantee, surety bond, or letter of credit, from which the standby trust fund is established to receive payments (This paragraph is only applicable to the standby trust agreement.)].
The Grantor and the Trustee hereby establish a trust fund, the “Fund,” for the benefit of [implementing agency]. The Grantor and the Trustee intend that no third party have access to the Fund except as herein provided. [The Fund is established initially as a standby to receive payments and shall not consist of any property.] Payments made by the provider of financial assurance pursuant to [the Director of the implementing agency's] instruction are transferred to the Trustee and are referred to as the Fund, together with all earnings and profits thereon, less any payments or distributions made by the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement. The Fund shall be held by the Trustee, IN TRUST, as hereinafter provided. The Trustee shall not be responsible nor shall it undertake any responsibility for the amount or adequacy of, nor
The Trustee shall make payments from the Fund as [the Director of the implementing agency] shall direct, in writing, to provide for the payment of the costs of [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases”] arising from operating the tanks covered by the financial assurance mechanism identified in this Agreement.
The Fund may not be drawn upon to cover any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [insert owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of employment by [insert owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a release from a petroleum underground storage tank;
(e) Bodily injury or property damage for which [insert owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR 280.93.
The Trustee shall reimburse the Grantor, or other persons as specified by [the Director], from the Fund for corrective action expenditures and/or third-party liability claims in such amounts as [the Director] shall direct in writing. In addition, the Trustee shall refund to the Grantor such amounts as [the Director] specifies in writing. Upon refund, such funds shall no longer constitute part of the Fund as defined herein.
Payments made to the Trustee for the Fund shall consist of cash and securities acceptable to the Trustee.
The Trustee shall invest and reinvest the principal and income of the Fund and keep the Fund invested as a single fund, without distinction between principal and income, in accordance with general investment policies and guidelines which the Grantor may communicate in writing to the Trustee from time to time, subject, however, to the provisions of this Section. In investing, reinvesting, exchanging, selling, and managing the Fund, the Trustee shall discharge his duties with respect to the trust fund solely in the interest of the beneficiaries and with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing which persons of prudence, acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters, would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims; except that:
(i) Securities or other obligations of the Grantor, or any other owner or operator of the tanks, or any of their affiliates as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 80a-2(a), shall not be acquired or held, unless they are securities or other obligations of the federal or a state government;
(ii) The Trustee is authorized to invest the Fund in time or demand deposits of the Trustee, to the extent insured by an agency of the federal or state government; and
(iii) The Trustee is authorized to hold cash awaiting investment or distribution uninvested for a reasonable time and without liability for the payment of interest thereon.
The Trustee is expressly authorized in its discretion:
(a) To transfer from time to time any or all of the assets of the Fund to any common, commingled, or collective trust fund created by the Trustee in which the Fund is eligible to participate, subject to all of the provisions thereof, to be commingled with the assets of other trusts participating therein; and
(b) To purchase shares in any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., including one which may be created, managed, underwritten, or to which investment advice is rendered or the shares of which are sold by the Trustee. The Trustee may vote such shares in its discretion.
Without in any way limiting the powers and discretions conferred upon the Trustee by the other provisions of this Agreement or by law, the Trustee is expressly authorized and empowered:
(a) To sell, exchange, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any property held by it, by public or private sale. No person dealing with the Trustee shall be bound to see to the
(b) To make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all documents of transfer and conveyance and any and all other instruments that may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the powers herein granted;
(c) To register any securities held in the Fund in its own name or in the name of a nominee and to hold any security in bearer form or in book entry, or to combine certificates representing such securities with certificates of the same issue held by the Trustee in other fiduciary capacities, or to deposit or arrange for the deposit of such securities in a qualified central depository even though, when so deposited, such securities may be merged and held in bulk in the name of the nominee of such depository with other securities deposited therein by another person, or to deposit or arrange for the deposit of any securities issued by the United States Government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, with a Federal Reserve bank, but the books and records of the Trustee shall at all times show that all such securities are part of the Fund;
(d) To deposit any cash in the Fund in interest-bearing accounts maintained or savings certificates issued by the Trustee, in its separate corporate capacity, or in any other banking institution affiliated with the Trustee, to the extent insured by an agency of the federal or state government; and
(e) To compromise or otherwise adjust all claims in favor of or against the Fund.
All taxes of any kind that may be assessed or levied against or in respect of the Fund and all brokerage commissions incurred by the Fund shall be paid from the Fund. All other expenses incurred by the Trustee in connection with the administration of this Trust, including fees for legal services rendered to the Trustee, the compensation of the Trustee to the extent not paid directly by the Grantor, and all other proper charges and disbursements of the Trustee shall be paid from the Fund.
The Trustee may from time to time consult with counsel, who may be counsel to the Grantor, with respect to any questions arising as to the construction of this Agreement or any action to be taken hereunder. The Trustee shall be fully protected, to the extent permitted by law, in acting upon the advice of counsel.
The Trustee shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services as agreed upon in writing from time to time with the Grantor.
The Trustee may resign or the Grantor may replace the Trustee, but such resignation or replacement shall not be effective until the Grantor has appointed a successor trustee and this successor accepts the appointment. The successor trustee shall have the same powers and duties as those conferred upon the Trustee hereunder. Upon the successor trustee's acceptance of the appointment, the Trustee shall assign, transfer, and pay over to the successor trustee the funds and properties then constituting the Fund. If for any reason the Grantor cannot or does not act in the event of the resignation of the Trustee, the Trustee may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee or for instructions. The successor trustee shall specify the date on which it assumes administration of the trust in writing sent to the Grantor and the present Trustee by certified mail 10 days before such change becomes effective. Any expenses incurred by the Trustee as a result of any of the acts contemplated by this Section shall be paid as provided in Section 9.
All orders, requests, and instructions by the Grantor to the Trustee shall be in writing, signed by such persons as are designated in the attached Schedule B or such other designees as the Grantor may designate by amendment to Schedule B. The Trustee shall be fully protected in acting without inquiry in accordance with the Grantor's orders, requests, and instructions. All orders, requests, and instructions by [the Director of the implementing agency] to the Trustee shall be in writing, signed by [the Director], and the Trustee shall act and shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such orders, requests, and instructions. The Trustee shall have the right to assume, in the absence of written notice to the contrary, that no event constituting a change or a termination of the authority of any person to act on behalf of the Grantor or [the director] hereunder has occurred. The Trustee shall have no duty to act in the absence of such orders, requests, and instructions from the Grantor and/or [the Director], except as provided for herein.
This Agreement may be amended by an instrument in writing executed by the Grantor and the Trustee, or by the Trustee and [the Director of the implementing agency] if the Grantor ceases to exist.
Subject to the right of the parties to amend this Agreement as provided in Section 14, this Trust shall be irrevocable and shall continue until terminated at the written direction of the Grantor and the Trustee, or by the Trustee and [the Director of the implementing agency], if the Grantor ceases to exist. Upon termination of the Trust, all remaining trust property, less final trust administration expenses, shall be delivered to the Grantor.
The Trustee shall not incur personal liability of any nature in connection with any act or omission, made in good faith, in the administration of this Trust, or in carrying out any directions by the Grantor or [the Director of the implementing agency] issued in accordance with this Agreement. The Trustee shall be indemnified and saved harmless by the Grantor, from and against any personal liability to which the Trustee may be subjected by reason of any act or conduct in its official capacity, including all expenses reasonably incurred in its defense in the event the Grantor fails to provide such defense.
This Agreement shall be administered, construed, and enforced according to the laws of the state of [insert name of state], or the Comptroller of the Currency in the case of National Association banks.
As used in this Agreement, words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular. The descriptive headings for each section of this Agreement shall not affect the interpretation or the legal efficacy of this Agreement.
In Witness whereof the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers duly authorized and their corporate seals (if applicable) to be hereunto affixed and attested as of the date first above written. The parties below certify that the wording of this Agreement is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR 280.103(b)(1) as such regulations were constituted on the date written above.
(2) The standby trust agreement, or trust agreement must be accompanied by a formal certification of acknowledgement similar to the following. State requirements may differ on the proper content of this acknowledgment.
On this [date], before me personally came [owner or operator] to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that she/he resides at [address], that she/he is [title] of [corporation], the corporation described in and which executed the above instrument; that she/he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to such instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation; and that she/he signed her/his name thereto by like order.
(c) The Director of the implementing agency will instruct the trustee to refund the balance of the standby trust fund to the provider of financial assurance if the Director determines that no additional corrective action costs or third-party liability claims will occur as a result of a release covered by the financial assurance mechanism for which the standby trust fund was established.
(d) An owner or operator may establish one trust fund as the depository mechanism for all funds assured in compliance with this rule.
(a) A general purpose local government owner or operator and/or local government serving as a guarantor may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by having a currently outstanding issue or issues of general obligation bonds of $1 million or more, excluding refunded obligations, with a Moody's rating of Aaa, Aa, A, or Baa, or a Standard & Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A, or BBB. Where a local government has multiple outstanding issues, or where a local government's bonds are rated by both Moody's and Standard and Poor's, the lowest rating must be
(b) A local government owner or operator or local government serving as a guarantor that is not a general-purpose local government and does not have the legal authority to issue general obligation bonds may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by having a currently outstanding issue or issues of revenue bonds of $1 million or more, excluding refunded issues and by also having a Moody's rating of Aaa, A, A, or Baa, or a Standard & Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A, or BBB as the lowest rating for any rated revenue bond issued by the local government. Where bonds are rated by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's, the lower rating for each bond must be used to determine eligibility. Bonds that are backed by credit enhancement may not be considered in determining the amount of applicable bonds outstanding.
(c) The local government owner or operator and/or guarantor must maintain a copy of its bond rating published within the last 12 months by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
(d) To demonstrate that it meets the local government bond rating test, the chief financial officer of a general purpose local government owner or operator and/or guarantor must sign a letter worded exactly as follows, except that the instructions in brackets are to be replaced by the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
I am the chief financial officer of [insert: name and address of local government owner or operator, or guarantor]. This letter is in support of the use of the bond rating test to demonstrate financial responsibility for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage”] caused by [insert: “sudden accidental releases” and/or “nonsudden accidental releases”] in the amount of at least [insert: dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert: dollar amount] annual aggregate arising from operating (an) underground storage tank(s).
Underground storage tanks at the following facilities are assured by this bond rating test: [List for each facility: the name and address of the facility where tanks are assured by the bond rating test].
The details of the issue date, maturity, outstanding amount, bond rating, and bond rating agency of all outstanding bond issues that are being used by [name of local government owner or operator, or guarantor] to demonstrate financial responsibility are as follows: [complete table]
The total outstanding obligation of [insert amount], excluding refunded bond issues, exceeds the minimum amount of $1 million. All outstanding general obligation bonds issued by this government that have been rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's are rated as at least investment grade (Moody's Baa or Standard & Poor's BBB) based on the most recent ratings published within the last 12 months. Neither rating service has provided notification within the last 12 months of downgrading of bond ratings below investment grade or of withdrawal of bond rating other than for repayment of outstanding bond issues.
I hereby certify that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR Part 280.104(d) as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.
(e) To demonstrate that it meets the local government bond rating test, the chief financial officer of local government owner or operator and/or guarantor other than a general purpose government must sign a letter worded exactly as follows, except that the instructions in brackets are to be replaced by the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
I am the chief financial officer of [insert: name and address of local government owner or operator, or guarantor]. This letter is in support of the use of the bond rating test to
Underground storage tanks at the following facilities are assured by this bond rating test: [List for each facility: the name and address of the facility where tanks are assured by the bond rating test].
The details of the issue date, maturity, outstanding amount, bond rating, and bond rating agency of all outstanding revenue bond issues that are being used by [name of local government owner or operator, or guarantor] to demonstrate financial responsibility are as follows: [complete table]
The total outstanding obligation of [insert amount], excluding refunded bond issues, exceeds the minimum amount of $1 million. All outstanding revenue bonds issued by this government that have been rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's are rated as at least investment grade (Moody's Baa or Standard & Poor's BBB) based on the most recent ratings published within the last 12 months. The revenue bonds listed are not backed by third-party credit enhancement or are insured by a municipal bond insurance company. Neither rating service has provided notification within the last 12 months of downgrading of bond ratings below investment grade or of withdrawal of bond rating other than for repayment of outstanding bond issues.
I hereby certify that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR part 280.104(e) as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.
(f) The Director of the implementing agency may require reports of financial condition at any time from the local government owner or operator, and/or local government guarantor. If the Director finds, on the basis of such reports or other information, that the local government owner or operator, and/or guarantor, no longer meets the local government bond rating test requirements of § 280.104, the local government owner or operator must obtain alternative coverage within 30 days after notification of such a finding.
(g) If a local government owner or operator using the bond rating test to provide financial assurance finds that it no longer meets the bond rating test requirements, the local government owner or operator must obtain alternative coverage within 150 days of the change in status.
(a) A local government owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by passing the financial test specified in this section. To be eligible to use the financial test, the local government owner or operator must have the ability and authority to assess and levy taxes or to freely establish fees and charges. To pass the local government financial test, the owner or operator must meet the criteria of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section based on year-end financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year.
(b)(1) The local government owner or operator must have the following information available, as shown in the year-end financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(2) The local government's year-end financial statements, if independently audited, cannot include an adverse auditor's opinion or a disclaimer of opinion. The local government cannot have outstanding issues of general obligation or revenue bonds that are rated as less than investment grade.
(3) The local government owner or operator must have a letter signed by the chief financial officer worded as specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) To demonstrate that it meets the financial test under paragraph (b) of this section, the chief financial officer of the local government owner or operator, must sign, within 120 days of the close of each financial reporting year, as defined by the twelve-month period for which financial statements used to support the financial test are prepared, a letter worded exactly as follows, except that the instructions in brackets are to be replaced by the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
I am the chief financial officer of [insert: name and address of the owner or operator]. This letter is in support of the use of the local government financial test to demonstrate financial responsibility for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage”] caused by [insert: “sudden accidental releases” and/or “nonsudden accidental releases”] in the amount of at least [insert: dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert: dollar amount] annual aggregate arising from operating [an] underground storage tank[s].
Underground storage tanks at the following facilities are assured by this financial test [List for each facility: the name and address of the facility where tanks assured by
This owner or operator has not received an adverse opinion, or a disclaimer of opinion from an independent auditor on its financial statements for the latest completed fiscal year. Any outstanding issues of general obligation or revenue bonds, if rated, have a Moody's rating of Aaa, Aa, A, or Baa or a Standard and Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A, or BBB; if rated by both firms, the bonds have a Moody's rating of Aaa, Aa, A, or Baa and a Standard and Poor's rating of AAA, AA, A, or BBB.
I hereby certify that the financial index shown on line 16 of the worksheet is greater than zero and that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR part 280.105(c) as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.
(d) If a local government owner or operator using the test to provide financial assurance finds that it no longer meets the requirements of the financial test based on the year-end financial statements, the owner or operator must obtain alternative coverage within 150 days of the end of the year for which financial statements have been prepared.
(e) The Director of the implementing agency may require reports of financial condition at any time from the local government owner or operator. If the Director finds, on the basis of such reports or other information, that the local government owner or operator no longer meets the financial test requirements of § 280.105 (b) and (c), the owner or operator must obtain alternate coverage within 30 days after notification of such a finding.
(f) If the local government owner or operator fails to obtain alternate assurance within 150 days of finding that it no longer meets the requirements of the financial test based on the year-end financial statements or within 30 days of notification by the Director of the implementing agency that it no longer meets the requirements of the financial test, the owner or operator must notify the Director of such failure within 10 days.
(a) A local government owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by obtaining a guarantee that conforms to the requirements of this section. The guarantor must be either the state in which the local government owner or operator is located or a local government having a “substantial governmental relationship” with the owner and operator and issuing the guarantee as an act incident to that relationship. A local government acting as the guarantor must:
(1) demonstrate that it meets the bond rating test requirement of § 280.104 and deliver a copy of the chief financial officer's letter as contained in § 280.104(c) to the local government owner or operator; or
(2) demonstrate that it meets the worksheet test requirements of § 280.105 and deliver a copy of the chief financial officer's letter as contained in § 280.105(c) to the local government owner or operator; or
(3) demonstrate that it meets the local government fund requirements of § 280.107(a), § 280.107(b), or § 280.107(c) and deliver a copy of the chief financial officer's letter as contained in § 280.107 to the local government owner or operator.
(b) If the local government guarantor is unable to demonstrate financial assurance under any of §§ 280.104, 280.105, 280.107(a), 280.107(b), or 280.107(c), at the end of the financial reporting year, the guarantor shall send by certified mail, before cancellation or non-renewal of the guarantee, notice to the owner or operator. The guarantee will terminate no less than 120 days after the date the owner or operator receives the notification, as evidenced by the return receipt. The owner or operator must obtain alternative coverage as specified in § 280.114(c).
(c) The guarantee agreement must be worded as specified in paragraph (d) or (e) of this section, depending on which of the following alternative guarantee arrangements is selected:
(1) If, in the default or incapacity of the owner or operator, the guarantor
(2) If, in the default or incapacity of the owner or operator, the guarantor guarantees to make payments as directed by the Director of the implementing agency for taking corrective action or compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage, the guarantee shall be worded as specified in paragraph (e) of this section.
(d) If the guarantor is a state, the local government guarantee with standby trust must be worded exactly as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Guarantee made this [date] by [name of state], herein referred to as guarantor, to [the state implementing agency] and to any and all third parties, and obliges, on behalf of [local government owner or operator].
(1) Guarantor is a state.
(2) [Local government owner or operator] owns or operates the following underground storage tank(s) covered by this guarantee: [List the number of tanks at each facility and the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies) where the tanks are located. If more than one instrument is used to assure different tanks at any one facility, for each tank covered by this instrument, list the tank identification number provided in the notification submitted pursuant to 40 CFR part 280 or the corresponding state requirement, and the name and address of the facility.] This guarantee satisfies 40 CFR part 280, subpart H requirements for assuring funding for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases”; if coverage is different for different tanks or locations, indicate the type of coverage applicable to each tank or location] arising from operating the above-identified underground storage tank(s) in the amount of [insert dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert dollar amount] annual aggregate.
(3) Guarantor guarantees to [implementing agency] and to any and all third parties that:
In the event that [local government owner or operator] fails to provide alternative coverage within 60 days after receipt of a notice of cancellation of this guarantee and the [Director of the implementing agency] has determined or suspects that a release has occurred at an underground storage tank covered by this guarantee, the guarantor, upon instructions from the [Director] shall fund a standby trust fund in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR part 280.112, in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
In the event that the [Director] determines that [local government owner or operator] has failed to perform corrective action for releases arising out of the operation of the above-identified tank(s) in accordance with 40 CFR part 280, subpart F, the guarantor upon written instructions from the [Director] shall fund a standby trust fund in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR part 280.112, in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
If [owner or operator] fails to satisfy a judgment or award based on a determination of liability for bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by [”sudden” and/or “nonsudden”] accidental releases arising from the operation of the above-identified tank(s), or fails to pay an amount agreed to in settlement of a claim arising from or alleged to arise from such injury or damage, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the [Director], shall fund a standby trust in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR part 280.112 to satisfy such judgment(s), award(s), or settlement agreement(s) up to the limits of coverage specified above.
(4) Guarantor agrees to notify [owner or operator] by certified mail of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.
(5) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any modification or alteration of any obligation of [owner or operator] pursuant to 40 CFR part 280.
(6) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as [local government owner or operator] must comply with the applicable financial responsibility requirements of 40 CFR part 280, subpart H for the above identified tank(s), except that guarantor may cancel this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to [owner or operator], such cancellation to become effective no earlier than 120 days after receipt of such notice by [owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt.
(7) The guarantor's obligation does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [local government owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert: local government owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert: local government owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaded to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert: local government owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a release from a petroleum underground storage tank;
(e) Bodily damage or property damage for which [insert owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR part 280.93.
(8) Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by [the implementing agency], by any or all third parties, or by [local government owner or operator],
I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR part 280.106(d) as such regulations were constituted on the effective date shown immediately below.
If the guarantor is a local government, the local government guarantee with standby trust must be worded exactly as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Guarantee made this [date] by [name of guaranteeing entity], a local government organized under the laws of [name of state], herein referred to as guarantor, to [the state implementing agency] and to any and all third parties, and obliges, on behalf of [local government owner or operator].
(1) Guarantor meets or exceeds [select one: the local government bond rating test requirements of 40 CFR part 280.104, the local government financial test requirements of 40 CFR part 280.105, or the local government fund under 40 CFR part 280.107(a), 280.107(b), or 280.107(c)].
(2) [Local government owner or operator] owns or operates the following underground storage tank(s) covered by this guarantee: [List the number of tanks at each facility and the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies) where the tanks are located. If more than one instrument is used to assure different tanks at any one facility, for each tank covered by this instrument, list the tank identification number provided in the notification submitted pursuant to 40 CFR part 280 or the corresponding state requirement, and the name and address of the facility.] This guarantee satisfies 40 CFR part 280, subpart H requirements for assuring funding for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases”; if coverage is different for different tanks or locations, indicate the type of coverage applicable to each tank or location] arising from operating the above-identified underground storage tank(s) in the amount of [insert dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert: dollar amount] annual aggregate.
(3) Incident to our substantial governmental relationship with [local government owner or operator], guarantor guarantees to [implementing agency] and to any and all third parties that:
In the event that [local government owner or operator] fails to provide alternative coverage within 60 days after receipt of a notice of cancellation of this guarantee and the [Director of the implementing agency] has determined or suspects that a release has occurred at an underground storage tank covered by this guarantee, the guarantor, upon instructions from the [Director] shall fund a standby trust fund in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR part 280.112, in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
In the event that the [Director] determines that [local government owner or operator] has failed to perform corrective action for releases arising out of the operation of the above-identified tank(s) in accordance with 40 CFR part 280, subpart F, the guarantor upon written instructions from the [Director] shall fund a standby trust fund in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR part 280.112, in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
If [owner or operator] fails to satisfy a judgment or award based on a determination of liability for bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by [“sudden” and/or “nonsudden”] accidental releases arising from the operation of the above-identified tank(s), or fails to pay an amount agreed to in settlement of a claim arising from or alleged to arise from such injury or damage, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the [Director], shall fund a standby trust in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR part 280.112 to satisfy such judgment(s), award(s), or settlement agreement(s) up to the limits of coverage specified above.
(4) Guarantor agrees that, if at the end of any fiscal year before cancellation of this guarantee, the guarantor fails to meet or exceed the requirements of the financial responsibility mechanism specified in paragraph (1), guarantor shall send within 120 days of such failure, by certified mail, notice to [local government owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt.
(5) Guarantor agrees to notify [owner or operator] by certified mail of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.
(6) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any modification or alteration of any obligation of [owner or operator] pursuant to 40 CFR part 280.
(7) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as [local government owner or operator] must comply with the applicable financial responsibility requirements of 40 CFR part 280, subpart H for the above identified tank(s), except that guarantor may cancel this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to [owner or operator], such cancellation to become effective no earlier than 120 days after receipt of such notice by [owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt.
(8) The guarantor's obligation does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [local government owner or operator] under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert: local government owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert: local government owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert: local government owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a release from a petroleum underground storage tank;
(e) Bodily damage or property damage for which [insert: owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR part 280.93.
(9) Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by [the implementing agency], by any or all third parties, or by [local government owner or operator].
I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR part 280.106(d) as such regulations were constituted on the effective date shown immediately below.
(e) If the guarantor is a state, the local government guarantee without standby trust must be worded exactly as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Guarantee made this [date] by [name of state], herein referred to as guarantor, to [the state implementing agency] and to any and all third parties, and obliges, on behalf of [local government owner or operator].
(1) Guarantor is a state.
(2) [Local government owner or operator] owns or operates the following underground storage tank(s) covered by this guarantee: [List the number of tanks at each facility and the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies) where the tanks are located. If more than one instrument is used to assure different tanks at any one facility, for each tank covered by this instrument, list the tank identification number provided in the notification submitted pursuant to 40 CFR part 280 or the corresponding state requirement, and the name and address of the facility.] This guarantee satisfies 40 CFR part 280, subpart H requirements for assuring funding for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases”; if coverage is different for different tanks or locations, indicate the type of coverage applicable to each tank or location] arising from operating the above-identified underground storage tank(s) in the amount of [insert: dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert: dollar amount] annual aggregate.
(3) Guarantor guarantees to [implementing agency] and to any and all third parties and obliges that:
In the event that [local government owner or operator] fails to provide alternative coverage within 60 days after receipt of a notice of cancellation of this guarantee and the [Director of the implementing agency] has determined or suspects that a release has occurred at an underground storage tank covered by this guarantee, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the [Director]
In the event that the [Director] determines that [local government owner or operator] has failed to perform corrective action for releases arising out of the operation of the above-identified tank(s) in accordance with 40 CFR part 280, subpart F, the guarantor upon written instructions from the [Director] shall make funds available to pay for corrective actions in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
If [owner or operator] fails to satisfy a judgment or award based on a determination of liability for bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by [“sudden” and/or “nonsudden”] accidental releases arising from the operation of the above-identified tank(s), or fails to pay an amount agreed to in settlement of a claim arising from or alleged to arise from such injury or damage, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the [Director], shall make funds available to compensate third parties for bodily injury and property damage in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
(4) Guarantor agrees to notify [owner or operator] by certified mail of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.
(5) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any modification or alteration of any obligation of [owner or operator] pursuant to 40 CFR part 280.
(6) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as [local government owner or operator] must comply with the applicable financial responsibility requirements of 40 CFR part 280, subpart H for the above identified tank(s), except that guarantor may cancel this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to [owner or operator], such cancellation to become effective no earlier than 120 days after receipt of such notice by [owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt. If notified of a probable release, the guarantor agrees to remain bound to the terms of this guarantee for all charges arising from the release, up to the coverage limits specified above, notwithstanding the cancellation of the guarantee with respect to future releases.
(7) The guarantor's obligation does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [local government owner or operator] under a workers' compensation disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert local government owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert: local government owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaded to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert: local government owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a release from a petroleum underground storage tank;
(e) Bodily damage or property damage for which [insert: owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR part 280.93.
(8) Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by [the implementing agency], by any or all third parties, or by [local government owner or operator].
I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR part 280.106(e) as such regulations were constituted on the effective date shown immediately below.
If the guarantor is a local government, the local government guarantee without standby trust must be worded exactly as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with relevant information and the brackets deleted:
Guarantee made this [date] by [name of guaranteeing entity], a local government organized under the laws of [name of state], herein referred to as guarantor, to [the state implementing agency] and to any and all third parties, and obliges, on behalf of [local government owner or operator].
(1) Guarantor meets or exceeds [select one: the local government bond rating test requirements of 40 CFR part 280.104, the local government financial test requirements of 40 part CFR 280.105, the local government fund under 40 CFR part 280.107(a), 280.107(b), or 280.107(c).
(2) [Local government owner or operator] owns or operates the following underground storage tank(s) covered by this guarantee: [List the number of tanks at each facility and the name(s) and address(es) of the facility(ies) where the tanks are located. If more
(3) Incident to our substantial governmental relationship with [local government owner or operator], guarantor guarantees to [implementing agency] and to any and all third parties and obliges that:
In the event that [local government owner or operator] fails to provide alternative coverage within 60 days after receipt of a notice of cancellation of this guarantee and the [Director of the implementing agency] has determined or suspects that a release has occurred at an underground storage tank covered by this guarantee, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the [Director] shall make funds available to pay for corrective actions and compensate third parties for bodily injury and property damage in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
In the event that the [Director] determines that [local government owner or operator] has failed to perform corrective action for releases arising out of the operation of the above-identified tank(s) in accordance with 40 CFR part 280, subpart F, the guarantor upon written instructions from the [Director] shall make funds available to pay for corrective actions in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
If [owner or operator] fails to satisfy a judgment or award based on a determination of liability for bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by [“sudden” and/or “nonsudden”] accidental releases arising from the operation of the above-identified tank(s), or fails to pay an amount agreed to in settlement of a claim arising from or alleged to arise from such injury or damage, the guarantor, upon written instructions from the [Director], shall make funds available to compensate third parties for bodily injury and property damage in an amount not to exceed the coverage limits specified above.
(4) Guarantor agrees that if at the end of any fiscal year before cancellation of this guarantee, the guarantor fails to meet or exceed the requirements of the financial responsibility mechanism specified in paragraph (1), guarantor shall send within 120 days of such failure, by certified mail, notice to [local government owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt.
(5) Guarantor agrees to notify [owner or operator] by certified mail of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code naming guarantor as debtor, within 10 days after commencement of the proceeding.
(6) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee notwithstanding any modification or alteration of any obligation of [owner or operator] pursuant to 40 CFR part 280.
(7) Guarantor agrees to remain bound under this guarantee for so long as [local government owner or operator] must comply with the applicable financial responsibility requirements of 40 CFR part 280, subpart H for the above identified tank(s), except that guarantor may cancel this guarantee by sending notice by certified mail to [owner or operator], such cancellation to become effective no earlier than 120 days after receipt of such notice by [owner or operator], as evidenced by the return receipt. If notified of a probable release, the guarantor agrees to remain bound to the terms of this guarantee for all charges arising from the release, up to the coverage limits specified above, notwithstanding the cancellation of the guarantee with respect to future releases.
(8) The guarantor's obligation does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Any obligation of [local government owner or operator] under a workers' compensation disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law;
(b) Bodily injury to an employee of [insert: local government owner or operator] arising from, and in the course of, employment by [insert: local government owner or operator];
(c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft;
(d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaded to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by [insert: local government owner or operator] that is not the direct result of a release from a petroleum underground storage tank;
(e) Bodily damage or property damage for which [insert: owner or operator] is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of 40 CFR part 280.93.
(9) Guarantor expressly waives notice of acceptance of this guarantee by [the implementing agency], by any or all third parties, or by [local government owner or operator],
I hereby certify that the wording of this guarantee is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR part 280.106(e) as such regulations were constituted on the effective date shown immediately below.
A local government owner or operator may satisfy the requirements of § 280.93 by establishing a dedicated fund account that conforms to the requirements of this section. Except as specified in paragraph (b), a dedicated fund may not be commingled with other funds or otherwise used in normal operations. A dedicated fund will be considered eligible if it meets one of the following requirements:
(a) The fund is dedicated by state constitutional provision, or local government statute, charter, ordinance, or order to pay for taking corrective action and for compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum underground storage tanks and is funded for the full amount of coverage required under § 280.93, or funded for part of the required amount of coverage and used in combination with other mechanism(s) that provide the remaining coverage; or
(b) The fund is dedicated by state constitutional provision, or local government statute, charter, ordinance, or order as a contingency fund for general emergencies, including taking corrective action and compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum underground storage tanks, and is funded for five times the full amount of coverage required under § 280.93, or funded for part of the required amount of coverage and used in combination with other mechanism(s) that provide the remaining coverage. If the fund is funded for less than five times the amount of coverage required under § 280.93, the amount of financial responsibility demonstrated by the fund may not exceed one-fifth the amount in the fund; or
(c) The fund is dedicated by state constitutional provision, or local government statute, charter, ordinance or order to pay for taking corrective action and for compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum underground storage tanks. A payment is made to the fund once every year for seven years until the fund is fully-funded. This seven year period is hereafter referred to as the “pay-in-period.” The amount of each payment must be determined by this formula:
(1) The local government owner or operator has available bonding authority, approved through voter referendum (if such approval is necessary prior to the issuance of bonds), for an amount equal to the difference between the required amount of coverage and the amount held in the dedicated fund. This bonding authority shall be available for taking corrective action and for compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of petroleum underground storage tanks, or
(2) The local government owner or operator has a letter signed by the appropriate state attorney general stating that the use of the bonding authority will not increase the local government's debt beyond the legal debt ceilings established by the relevant state laws. The letter must also state that prior voter approval is not necessary before use of the bonding authority.
(d) To demonstrate that it meets the requirements of the local government fund, the chief financial officer of the local government owner or operator and/or guarantor must sign a letter
I am the chief financial officer of [insert: name and address of local government owner or operator, or guarantor]. This letter is in support of the use of the local government fund mechanism to demonstrate financial responsibility for [insert: “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage”] caused by [insert: “sudden accidental releases” and/or “nonsudden accidental releases”] in the amount of at least [insert: dollar amount] per occurrence and [insert: dollar amount] annual aggregate arising from operating (an) underground storage tank(s).
Underground storage tanks at the following facilities are assured by this local government fund mechanism: [List for each facility: the name and address of the facility where tanks are assured by the local government fund].
[Insert: “The local government fund is funded for the full amount of coverage required under § 280.93, or funded for part of the required amount of coverage and used in combination with other mechanism(s) that provide the remaining coverage.” or “The local government fund is funded for ten times the full amount of coverage required under § 280.93, or funded for part of the required amount of coverage and used in combination with other mechanisms(s) that provide the remaining coverage,” or “A payment is made to the fund once every year for seven years until the fund is fully-funded and [name of local government owner or operator] has available bonding authority, approved through voter referendum, of an amount equal to the difference between the required amount of coverage and the amount held in the dedicated fund” or “A payment is made to the fund once every year for seven years until the fund is fully-funded and I have attached a letter signed by the State Attorney General stating that (1) the use of the bonding authority will not increase the local government's debt beyond the legal debt ceilings established by the relevant state laws and (2) that prior voter approval is not necessary before use of the bonding authority”].
The details of the local government fund are as follows:
[If fund balance is incrementally funded as specified in § 280.107(c), insert:
A copy of the state constitutional provision, or local government statute, charter, ordinance or order dedicating the fund is attached.
I hereby certify that the wording of this letter is identical to the wording specified in 40 CFR 280.107(d) as such regulations were constituted on the date shown immediately below.
(a) An owner or operator may substitute any alternate financial assurance mechanisms as specified in this subpart, provided that at all times he maintains an effective financial assurance mechanism or combination of mechanisms that satisfies the requirements of § 280.93.
(b) After obtaining alternate financial assurance as specified in this subpart, an owner or operator may cancel a financial assurance mechanism by providing notice to the provider of financial assurance.
(a) Except as otherwise provided, a provider of financial assurance may cancel or fail to renew an assurance mechanism by sending a notice of termination by certified mail to the owner or operator.
(1) Termination of a local government guarantee, a guarantee, a surety bond, or a letter of credit may not occur until 120 days after the date on which the owner or operator receives the notice of termination, as evidenced by the return receipt.
(2) Termination of insurance or risk retention coverage, except for non-payment or misrepresentation by the insured, or state-funded assurance may not occur until 60 days after the date on which the owner or operator receives the notice of termination, as
(b) If a provider of financial responsibility cancels or fails to renew for reasons other than incapacity of the provider as specified in § 280.114, the owner or operator must obtain alternate coverage as specified in this section within 60 days after receipt of the notice of termination. If the owner or operator fails to obtain alternate coverage within 60 days after receipt of the notice of termination, the owner or operator must notify the Director of the implementing agency of such failure and submit:
(1) The name and address of the provider of financial assurance;
(2) The effective date of termination; and
(3) The evidence of the financial assistance mechanism subject to the termination maintained in accordance with § 280.107(b).
(a) An owner or operator must submit the appropriate forms listed in § 280.111(b) documenting current evidence of financial responsibility to the Director of the implementing agency:
(1) Within 30 days after the owner or operator identifies a release from an underground storage tank required to be reported under § 280.53 or § 280.61;
(2) If the owner or operator fails to obtain alternate coverage as required by this subpart, within 30 days after the owner or operator receives notice of:
(i) Commencement of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming a provider of financial assurance as a debtor,
(ii) Suspension or revocation of the authority of a provider of financial assurance to issue a financial assurance mechanism,
(iii) Failure of a guarantor to meet the requirements of the financial test,
(iv) Other incapacity of a provider of financial assurance; or
(3) As required by § 280.95(g) and § 280.109(b).
(b) An owner or operator must certify compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of this part as specified in the new tank notification form when notifying the appropriate state or local agency of the installation of a new underground storage tank under § 280.22.
(c) The Director of the Implementing Agency may require an owner or operator to submit evidence of financial assurance as described in § 280.111(b) or other information relevant to compliance with this subpart at any time.
(a) Owners or operators must maintain evidence of all financial assurance mechanisms used to demonstrate financial responsibility under this subpart for an underground storage tank until released from the requirements of this subpart under § 208.113. An owner or operator must maintain such evidence at the underground storage tank site or the owner's or operator's place of work. Records maintained off-site must be made available upon request of the implementing agency.
(b) An owner or operator must maintain the following types of evidence of financial responsibility:
(1) An owner or operator using an assurance mechanism specified in §§ 280.95 through 280.100 or § 280.102 or §§ 280.104 through 280.107 must maintain a copy of the instrument worded as specified.
(2) An owner or operator using a financial test or guarantee, or a local government financial test or a local government guarantee supported by the local government financial test must maintain a copy of the chief financial officer's letter based on year-end financial statements for the most recent completed financial reporting year. Such evidence must be on file no later than 120 days after the close of the financial reporting year.
(3) An owner or operator using a guarantee, surety bond, or letter of credit must maintain a copy of the signed standby trust fund agreement
(4) A local government owner or operator using a local government guarantee under § 280.106(d) must maintain a copy of the signed standby trust fund agreement and copies of any amendments to the agreement.
(5) A local government owner or operator using the local government bond rating test under § 280.104 must maintain a copy of its bond rating published within the last twelve months by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
(6) A local government owner or operator using the local government guarantee under § 280.106, where the guarantor's demonstration of financial responsibility relies on the bond rating test under § 280.104 must maintain a copy of the guarantor's bond rating published within the last twelve months by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
(7) An owner or operator using an insurance policy or risk retention group coverage must maintain a copy of the signed insurance policy or risk retention group coverage policy, with the endorsement or certificate of insurance and any amendments to the agreements.
(8) An owner or operator covered by a state fund or other state assurance must maintain on file a copy of any evidence of coverage supplied by or required by the state under § 280.101(d).
(9) An owner or operator using a local government fund under § 280.107 must maintain the following documents:
(i) A copy of the state constitutional provision or local government statute, charter, ordinance, or order dedicating the fund, and
(ii) Year-end financial statements for the most recent completed financial reporting year showing the amount in the fund. If the fund is established under § 280.107(a)(3) using incremental funding backed by bonding authority, the financial statements must show the previous year's balance, the amount of funding during the year, and the closing balance in the fund.
(iii) If the fund is established under § 280.107(a)(3) using incremental funding backed by bonding authority, the owner or operator must also maintain documentation of the required bonding authority, including either the results of a voter referendum (under § 280.107(a)(3)(i)), or attestation by the State Attorney General as specified under § 280.107(a)(3)(ii).
(10) A local government owner or operator using the local government guarantee supported by the local government fund must maintain a copy of the guarantor's year-end financial statements for the most recent completed financial reporting year showing the amount of the fund.
(11)(i) An owner or operator using an assurance mechanism specified in §§ 280.95 through 280.107 must maintain an updated copy of a certification of financial responsibility worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
[Owner or operator] hereby certifies that it is in compliance with the requirements of subpart H of 40 CFR part 280.
The financial assurance mechanism(s) used to demonstrate financial responsibility under subpart H of 40 CFR part 280 is (are) as follows:
[For each mechanism, list the type of mechanism, name of issuer, mechanism number (if applicable), amount of coverage, effective period of coverage and whether the mechanism covers “taking corrective action” and/or “compensating third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by” either “sudden accidental releases” or “nonsudden accidental releases” or “accidental releases.”]
(ii) The owner or operator must update this certification whenever the financial assurance mechanism(s) used to demonstrate financial responsibility change(s).
(a) Except as specified in paragraph (d) of this section, the Director of the implementing agency shall require the guarantor, surety, or institution issuing a letter of credit to place the
(1)(i) The owner or operator fails to establish alternate financial assurance within 60 days after receiving notice of cancellation of the guarantee, surety bond, letter of credit, or, as applicable, other financial assurance mechanism; and
(ii) The Director determines or suspects that a release from an underground storage tank covered by the mechanism has occurred and so notifies the owner or operator or the owner or operator has notified the Director pursuant to subparts E or F of a release from an underground storage tank covered by the mechanism; or
(2) The conditions of paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) (i) or (ii) of this section are satisfied.
(b) The Director of the implementing agency may draw on a standby trust fund when:
(1) The Director makes a final determination that a release has occurred and immediate or long-term corrective action for the release is needed, and the owner or operator, after appropriate notice and opportunity to comply, has not conducted corrective action as required under 40 CFR part 280, subpart F; or
(2) The Director has received either:
(i) Certification from the owner or operator and the third-party liability claimant(s) and from attorneys representing the owner or operator and the third-party liability claimant(s) that a third-party liability claim should be paid. The certification must be worded as follows, except that instructions in brackets are to be replaced with the relevant information and the brackets deleted:
The undersigned, as principals and as legal representatives of [insert: owner or operator] and [insert: name and address of third-party claimant], hereby certify that the claim of bodily injury [and/or] property damage caused by an accidental release arising from operating [owner's or operator's] underground storage tank should be paid in the amount of $[______].
(c) If the Director of the implementing agency determines that the amount of corrective action costs and third-party liability claims eligible for payment under paragraph (b) of this section may exceed the balance of the standby trust fund and the obligation of the provider of financial assurance, the first priority for payment shall be corrective action costs necessary to protect human health and the environment. The Director shall pay third-party liability claims in the order in which the Director receives certifications under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, and valid court orders under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
(d) A governmental entity acting as guarantor under § 280.106(e), the local government guarantee without standby trust, shall make payments as directed by the Director under the circumstances described in § 280.112 (a), (b), and (c).
An owner or operator is no longer required to maintain financial responsibility under this subpart for an underground storage tank after the tank has been properly closed or, if corrective action is required, after corrective action has been completed and the tank has been properly closed as required by 40 CFR part 280, subpart G.
(a) Within 10 days after commencement of a voluntary or involuntary
(b) Within 10 days after commencement of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming a guarantor providing financial assurance as debtor, such guarantor must notify the owner or operator by certified mail of such commencement as required under the terms of the guarantee specified in § 280.96.
(c) Within 10 days after commencement of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming a local government owner or operator as debtor, the local government owner or operator must notify the Director of the implementing agency by certified mail of such commencement and submit the appropriate forms listed in § 280.111(b) documenting current financial responsibility.
(d) Within 10 days after commencement of a voluntary or involuntary proceeding under Title 11 (Bankruptcy), U.S. Code, naming a guarantor providing a local government financial assurance as debtor, such guarantor must notify the local government owner or operator by certified mail of such commencement as required under the terms of the guarantee specified in § 280.106.
(e) An owner or operator who obtains financial assurance by a mechanism other than the financial test of self-insurance will be deemed to be without the required financial assurance in the event of a bankruptcy or incapacity of its provider of financial assurance, or a suspension or revocation of the authority of the provider of financial assurance to issue a guarantee, insurance policy, risk retention group coverage policy, surety bond, letter of credit, or state-required mechanism. The owner or operator must obtain alternate financial assurance as specified in this subpart within 30 days after receiving notice of such an event. If the owner or operator does not obtain alternate coverage within 30 days after such notification, he must notify the Director of the implementing agency.
(f) Within 30 days after receipt of notification that a state fund or other state assurance has become incapable of paying for assured corrective action or third-party compensation costs, the owner or operator must obtain alternate financial assurance.
(a) If at any time after a standby trust is funded upon the instruction of the Director of the implementing agency with funds drawn from a guarantee, local government guarantee with standby trust, letter of credit, or surety bond, and the amount in the standby trust is reduced below the full amount of coverage required, the owner or operator shall by the anniversary date of the financial mechanism from which the funds were drawn:
(1) Replenish the value of financial assurance to equal the full amount of coverage required, or
(2) Acquire another financial assurance mechanism for the amount by which funds in the standby trust have been reduced.
(b) For purposes of this section, the full amount of coverage required is the amount of coverage to be provided by § 280.93 of this subpart. If a combination of mechanisms was used to provide the assurance funds which were drawn upon, replenishment shall occur by the earliest anniversary date among the mechanisms.
(a)
(b)
(2)
(3)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(1)
(2)
(g)
The term “participating in the management of an UST or UST system”
(a) Actions that are participation in management.
(1) Participation in the management of an UST or UST system means, for purposes of this subpart, actual participation by the holder in the management or control of decisionmaking related to the operation of an UST or UST system. Participation in management does not include the mere capacity or ability to influence or the unexercised right to control UST or UST system operations. A holder is participating in the management of the UST or UST system only if the holder either:
(i) Exercises decisionmaking control over the operational (as opposed to financial or administrative) aspects of the UST or UST system, such that the holder has undertaken responsibility for all or substantially all of the management of the UST or UST system; or
(ii) Exercises control at a level comparable to that of a manager of the borrower's enterprise, such that the holder has assumed or manifested responsibility for the overall management of the enterprise encompassing the day-to-day decisionmaking of the enterprise with respect to all, or substantially all, of the operational (as opposed to financial or administrative) aspects of the enterprise.
(2) Operational aspects of the enterprise relate to the use, storage, filling, or dispensing of petroleum contained in an UST or UST system, and include functions such as that of a facility or plant manager, operations manager, chief operating officer, or chief executive officer. Financial or administrative aspects include functions such as that of a credit manager, accounts payable/receivable manager, personnel manager, controller, chief financial officer, or similar functions. Operational aspects of the enterprise do not include the financial or administrative aspects of the enterprise, or actions associated with environmental compliance, or actions undertaken voluntarily to protect the environment in accordance with applicable requirements in 40 CFR part 280 or applicable state requirements in those states that have been delegated authority by EPA to administer the UST program pursuant to 42 USC 6991c and 40 CFR part 281.
(b) Actions that are not participation in management pre-foreclosure.
(1) Actions at the inception of the loan or other transaction. No act or omission prior to the time that indicia of ownership are held primarily to protect a security interest constitutes evidence of participation in management within the meaning of this subpart. A prospective holder who undertakes or requires an environmental investigation (which could include a site assessment, inspection, and/or audit) of the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located (in which indicia of ownership are to be held), or requires a prospective borrower to clean up contamination from the UST or UST system or to comply or come into compliance (whether prior or subsequent to the time that indicia of ownership are held primarily to protect a security interest) with any applicable law or regulation, is not by such action considered to be participating in the management of the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located.
(2) Loan policing and work out. Actions that are consistent with holding ownership indicia primarily to protect a security interest do not constitute participation in management for purposes of this subpart. The authority for the holder to take such actions may, but need not, be contained in contractual or other documents specifying requirements for financial, environmental, and other warranties, covenants, conditions, representations or promises from the borrower. Loan policing and work out activities cover and include all such activities up to foreclosure, exclusive of any activities that constitute participation in management.
(i) Policing the security interest or loan.
(A) A holder who engages in policing activities prior to foreclosure will remain within the exemption provided that the holder does not together with
(B) Policing activities also include undertaking by the holder of UST environmental compliance actions and voluntary environmental actions taken in compliance with 40 CFR part 280, provided that the holder does not otherwise participate in the management or daily operation of the UST or UST system as provided in § 280.210(a) and § 280.230. Such allowable actions include, but are not limited to, release detection and release reporting, release response and corrective action, temporary or permanent closure of an UST or UST system, UST upgrading or replacement, and maintenance of corrosion protection. A holder who undertakes these actions must do so in compliance with the applicable requirements in 40 CFR part 280 or applicable state requirements in those states that have been delegated authority by EPA to administer the UST program pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6991c and 40 CFR part 281. A holder may directly oversee these environmental compliance actions and voluntary environmental actions, and directly hire contractors to perform the work, and is not by such action considered to be participating in the management of the UST or UST system.
(ii) Loan work out. A holder who engages in work out activities prior to foreclosure will remain within the exemption provided that the holder does not together with other actions participate in the management of the UST or UST system as provided in § 280.210(a). For purposes of this rule, “work out” refers to those actions by which a holder, at any time prior to foreclosure, seeks to prevent, cure, or mitigate a default by the borrower or obligor; or to preserve, or prevent the diminution of, the value of the security. Work out activities include, but are not limited to, restructuring or renegotiating the terms of the security interest; requiring payment of additional rent or interest; exercising forbearance; requiring or exercising rights pursuant to an assignment of accounts or other amounts owing to an obligor; requiring or exercising rights pursuant to an escrow agreement pertaining to amounts owing to an obligor; providing specific or general financial or other advice, suggestions, counseling, or guidance; and exercising any right or remedy the holder is entitled to by law or under any warranties, covenants, conditions, representations, or promises from the borrower.
(c) Foreclosure on an UST or UST system or facility or property on which an UST or UST system is located, and participation in management activities post-foreclosure.
(1) Foreclosure. (i) Indicia of ownership that are held primarily to protect a security interest include legal or equitable title or deed to real or personal property acquired through or incident to foreclosure. For purposes of this subpart, the term “foreclosure” means that legal, marketable or equitable title or deed has been issued, approved, and recorded, and that the holder has obtained access to the UST, UST system, UST facility, and property on which the UST or UST system is located, provided that the holder acted diligently to acquire marketable title or deed and to gain access to the UST, UST system, UST facility, and property on which the UST or UST system is located. The indicia of ownership held after foreclosure continue to be maintained primarily as protection for a security interest provided that the
(ii) For purposes of establishing that a holder is seeking to sell, re-lease pursuant to a lease financing transaction (whether by a new lease financing transaction or substitution of the lessee), or divest in a reasonably expeditious manner an UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, the holder may use whatever commercially reasonable means as are relevant or appropriate with respect to the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, or may employ the means specified in § 280.210(c)(2). A holder that outbids, rejects, or fails to act upon a written
(2) Holding foreclosed property for disposition and liquidation. A holder, who does not participate in management prior to or after foreclosure, may sell, re-lease, pursuant to a lease financing transaction (whether by a new lease financing transaction or substitution of the lessee), an UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, liquidate, wind up operations, and take measures, prior to sale or other disposition, to preserve, protect, or prepare the secured UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located. A holder may also arrange for an existing or new operator to continue or initiate operation of the UST or UST system. The holder may conduct these activities without voiding the security interest exemption, subject to the requirements of this subpart.
(i) A holder establishes that the ownership indicia maintained after foreclosure continue to be held primarily to protect a security interest by, within 12 months following foreclosure, listing the UST or UST system or the facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, with a broker, dealer, or agent who deals with the type of property in question, or by advertising the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, as being for sale or disposition on at least a monthly basis in either a real estate publication or a trade or other publication suitable for the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, or a newspaper of general circulation (defined as one with a circulation over 10,000, or one suitable under any applicable federal, state, or local rules of court for publication required by court order or rules of civil procedure) covering the location of the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located. For purposes of this provision, the 12-month period begins to run from December 6, 1995 or from the date that the marketable title or deed has been issued, approved and recorded, and the holder has obtained access to the UST, UST system, UST facility and property on which the UST or UST system is located, whichever is later, provided that the holder acted diligently to acquire marketable title or deed and to obtain access to the UST, UST system, UST facility and property on which the UST or UST system is located. If the holder fails to act diligently to acquire marketable title or deed or to gain access to the UST or UST system, the 12-month period begins to run from December 6, 1995 or from the date on which the holder first acquires either title to or possession of the secured UST or UST system, or facility or property on which the UST or
(ii) A holder that outbids, rejects, or fails to act upon an offer of fair consideration for the UST or UST system or the facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, establishes by such outbidding, rejection, or failure to act, that the ownership indicia in the secured UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located are not held primarily to protect the security interest, unless the holder is required, in order to avoid liability under federal or state law, to make a higher bid, to obtain a higher offer, or to seek or obtain an offer in a different manner.
(A) Fair consideration, in the case of a holder maintaining indicia of ownership primarily to protect a senior security interest in the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, is the value of the security interest as defined in this section. The value of the security interest includes all debt and costs incurred by the security interest holder, and is calculated as an amount equal to or in excess of the sum of the outstanding principal (or comparable amount in the case of a lease that constitutes a security interest) owed to the holder immediately preceding the acquisition of full title (or possession in the case of a lease financing transaction) pursuant to foreclosure, plus any unpaid interest, rent, or penalties (whether arising before or after foreclosure). The value of the security interest also includes all reasonable and necessary costs, fees, or other charges incurred by the holder incident to work out, foreclosure, retention, preserving, protecting, and preparing, prior to sale, the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, re-lease, pursuant to a lease financing transaction (whether by a new lease financing transaction or substitution of the lessee), of an UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, or other disposition. The value of the security interest also includes environmental investigation costs (which could include a site assessment, inspection, and/or audit of the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located), and corrective action costs incurred under §§ 280.51 through 280.67 or any other costs incurred as a result of reasonable efforts to comply with any other applicable federal, state or local law or regulation; less any amounts received by the holder in connection with any partial disposition of the property and any amounts paid by the borrower (if not already applied to the borrower's obligations) subsequent to the acquisition of full title (or possession in the case of a lease financing transaction) pursuant to foreclosure. In the case of a holder maintaining indicia of ownership primarily to protect a junior security interest, fair consideration is the value of all outstanding higher priority security interests plus the value of the security interest held by the junior holder, each calculated as set forth in this paragraph.
(B) Outbids, rejects, or fails to act upon an offer of fair consideration means that the holder outbids, rejects, or fails to act upon within 90 days of receipt, a written,
(3) Actions that are not participation in management post-foreclosure. A holder is not considered to be participating in the management of an UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located when undertaking actions under 40 CFR part 280, provided that the holder does not otherwise participate in the management or daily operation of the UST or UST system as provided in § 280.210(a) and § 280.230. Such allowable actions include, but are not limited to, release detection and release reporting, release response and corrective action, temporary or permanent closure of an UST or UST system, UST upgrading or replacement, and maintenance of corrosion protection. A holder who undertakes these actions must do so in compliance with the applicable requirements in 40 CFR part 280 or applicable state requirements in those states that have been delegated authority by EPA to administer the UST program pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6991c and 40 CFR part 281. A holder may directly oversee these environmental compliance actions and voluntary environmental actions, and directly hire contractors to perform the work, and is not by such action considered to be participating in the management of the UST or UST system.
Ownership of an UST or UST system or facility or property on which an UST or UST system is located. A holder is not an “owner” of a petroleum UST or UST system or facility or property on which a petroleum UST or UST system is located for purposes of compliance with the UST technical standards as defined in § 280.200(a), the UST corrective action requirements under §§ 280.51 through 280.67, and the UST financial responsibility requirements under §§ 280.90 through 280.111, provided the person:
(a) Does not participate in the management of the UST or UST system as defined in § 280.210; and
(b) Does not engage in petroleum production, refining, and marketing as defined in § 280.200(b).
(a) Operating an UST or UST system prior to foreclosure. A holder, prior to foreclosure, as defined in § 280.210(c), is not an “operator” of a petroleum UST or UST system for purposes of compliance with the UST technical standards as defined in § 280.200(a), the UST corrective action requirements under §§ 280.51 through 280.67, and the UST financial responsibility requirements under §§ 280.90 through 280.111, provided that, after December 6, 1995, the holder is not in control of or does not have responsibility for the daily operation of the UST or UST system.
(b) Operating an UST or UST system after foreclosure. The following provisions apply to a holder who, through foreclosure, as defined in § 280.210(c), acquires a petroleum UST or UST system or facility or property on which a petroleum UST or UST system is located.
(1) A holder is not an “operator” of a petroleum UST or UST system for purposes of compliance with 40 CFR part 280 if there is an operator, other than the holder, who is in control of or has responsibility for the daily operation of the UST or UST system, and who can be held responsible for compliance with applicable requirements of 40 CFR part 280 or applicable state requirements in those states that have been delegated authority by EPA to administer the UST program pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6991c and 40 CFR part 281.
(2) If another operator does not exist, as provided for under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a holder is not an “operator” of the UST or UST system, for purposes of compliance with the UST technical standards as defined in § 280.200(a), the UST corrective action
(i) Empties all of its known USTs and UST systems within 60 calendar days after foreclosure or within 60 calendar days after December 6, 1995, whichever is later, or another reasonable time period specified by the implementing agency, so that no more than 2.5 centimeters (one inch) of residue, or 0.3 percent by weight of the total capacity of the UST system, remains in the system; leaves vent lines open and functioning; and caps and secures all other lines, pumps, manways, and ancillary equipment; and
(ii) Empties those USTs and UST systems that are discovered after foreclosure within 60 calendar days after discovery or within 60 calendar days after December 6, 1995, whichever is later, or another reasonable time period specified by the implementing agency, so that no more than 2.5 centimeters (one inch) of residue, or 0.3 percent by weight of the total capacity of the UST system, remains in the system; leaves vent lines open and functioning; and caps and secures all other lines, pumps, manways, and ancillary equipment.
(3) If another operator does not exist, as provided for under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, in addition to satisfying the conditions under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the holder must either:
(i) Permanently close the UST or UST system in accordance with §§ 280.71 through 280.74, except § 280.72(b); or
(ii) Temporarily close the UST or UST system in accordance with the following applicable provisions of § 280.70:
(A) Continue operation and maintenance of corrosion protection in accordance with § 280.31;
(B) Report suspected releases to the implementing agency; and
(C) Conduct a site assessment in accordance with § 280.72(a) if the UST system is temporarily closed for more than 12 months and the UST system does not meet either the performance standards in § 280.20 for new UST systems or the upgrading requirements in § 280.21, except that the spill and overfill equipment requirements do not have to be met. The holder must report any suspected releases to the implementing agency. For purposes of this provision, the 12-month period begins to run from December 6, 1995 or from the date on which the UST system is emptied and secured under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, whichever is later.
(4) The UST system can remain in temporary closure until a subsequent purchaser has acquired marketable title to the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located. Once a subsequent purchaser acquires marketable title to the UST or UST system or facility or property on which the UST or UST system is located, the purchaser must decide whether to operate or close the UST or UST system in accordance with applicable requirements in 40 CFR part 280 or applicable state requirements in those states that have been delegated authority by EPA to administer the UST program pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6991c and 40 CFR part 281.
A Federal law (the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended (Pub. L. 98-616)) requires owners of certain underground storage tanks to notify designated State or local agencies by May 8, 1986, of the existence of their tanks. Notifications for tanks brought into use after May 8, 1986, must be made within 30 days. Consult EPA's regulations, issued on November 8, 1985 (40 CFR part 280) to determine if you are affected by this law.