Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Program
Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Program
Storing petroleum aboveground storage tanks benefits businesses and the community. However, there are also risks in storing petroleum in aboveground storage tanks.
Aboveground storage tanks can leak and pose a threat to the navigable waterways of San Mateo County.
In order to protect the public health, the navigable waters, and the San Mateo County ecosystem, federal and state regulations exist to inspect the operations of aboveground storage tanks. Assembly Bill 1130 (Laird), Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) became effective on January 1, 2008. The law transfers the responsibility for the implementation, inspection, enforcement, and administration from the State to the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA).
In addition, the law requires facilities with certain quantities of oil storage to prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan in accordance with federal requirements.
The Health and Safety Code defines an “Aboveground Storage Tank” or “Storage Tank” as a tank that has the capacity to store 55 gallons or more of petroleum and is substantially or totally above the surface of the ground. Additionally, a “Tank Facility” means one or more aboveground storage tanks, including any piping that is integral to the tanks, that contain petroleum and are used by a single business entity at a single location or site.
A Tank Facility that stores 1,320 gallons or more of petroleum in aboveground storage containers or tanks is required to comply with APSA, prepare and implement a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan, and submit an annual Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Facility Statement.
For more details or if you have questions regarding your facility, contact your local inspector at (650) 372-6200.