IMPORTANT INFORMATION

REGARDING BULK STORAGE UNDERGROUND TANKS

Dept. of Environmental Conservation Conducting Inspections

     The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has been doing audits Downstate, Albany, and Rochester, and we’ve heard of one inspection in Central New York (thus far) on the Bulk Storage Underground Tank Regulations.  If violations are found, a Notice of Violation is issued.  The Station is given a few days to correct the violations and then must go to a conference.  Depending on how many violations were issued and the number corrected, a fine is  levied. The average fine can be about $12,000.  We were informed by the Rochester DEC Regional office that about 60 such audits will be done in that area.  

     Together with the NYS Association of Service Stations & Repair Shops, we’ve been working with DEC Albany and we now have a working list of possible violations. We also have the sections of the law that are used to issue the violations. It is our intent to make sure that DEC does not over regulate but its up to you to make sure you are in compliance.  If you have any questions or require more information, call our office at 455-1301, or visit the DEC website at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/bulkstor/

   We have also been informed that a purple square is to be used to identify used oil tanks. To ensure compliance, used oil tanks should have a purple square, indicating the capacity of the tank and the useful capacity, about 90%, the tank number and that it is registered. If your used oil tank is not registered, visit the website listed above to determine compliancy regulations.