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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) Program requirements.--The department shall adopt regulations and implement an underground storage tank program that, at a minimum, requires all of the following:
(1) The payment of an annual registration fee to the department by owners of underground storage tanks.
(2) Methods and procedures for the operation of underground storage tank facilities and for the operator's and owner's maintenance of a leak detection system, an inventory control system together with tank testing or a comparable system or method designed to identify releases or potential releases in a manner consistent with the protection of human health and the environment.
(3) The maintenance of records by the owner or operator of any monitoring or leak detection system or inventory control system or tank testing system.
(4) The reporting by the owner or operator of any releases and corrective action taken in response to a release from an underground storage tank.
(5) Corrective actions by owners, operators, landowners and occupiers, or other responsible parties, on an emergency basis if necessary, in response to a release from an underground storage tank.
(6) Requirements for closure of tanks by owners and operators to prevent future releases of regulated substances into the environment.
(7) Standards for installation and performance for new and existing underground storage tanks, including minimum standards for the construction, testing, corrosion, protection, operation, release prevention and repair and reuse of underground storage tanks.
(8) Standards and procedures for permitting, installation, construction, modification, operation and removal of tanks and intended and completed closure of an underground storage tank.
(9) Methods and procedures for the removal of underground storage tanks from service by the owner or operator.
(10) Requirements for reporting by the owner or operator of intended and completed closure of any underground storage tank facilities.
(11) The periodic inspection of the leak detection systems, structural integrity of the underground storage tanks and associated equipment, and release prevention measures.
(12) A permit, by rule, for certain classifications of underground storage tanks.
(13) Minimization of the amount of soil and subsurface material affected by a release of a regulated substance by segregating the unaffected soil and subsurface material during removal of an underground storage tank from the material affected by a release of a regulated substance.
(14) Development of alternative methods for the disposal and cleanup of soil and subsurface material affected by the release of a regulated substance, including, but not limited to, incineration, evaporation and landfill disposal.
(15) The requirement that the person removing the material affected by a release of a regulated substance provide to the owner, operator, landowner or other responsible party a receipt documenting acceptance of the material at a permitted treatment or disposal facility.
(b) Tank classification.--The department shall have the authority to establish classes and categories of underground storage tanks by regulation, which classes may be regulated in consideration of, among other factors, size, composition, intended use, contents and potential risk of harm to public health and the environment.
(c) Certified installer and inspector program.--
(1) The department shall establish, by regulation, a certification program for installers and inspectors of underground storage tanks and facilities. This program shall include provisions for qualifications and standards, procedures for training and testing and for the revocation and suspension of certification. All department employees administering this program shall be deemed certified while in the employment of the department.
(2) Underground storage tanks shall only be installed, modified and removed by a certified installer as provided by policy or regulations of the department.
(3) Underground storage tanks shall be inspected by certified inspectors prior to permitting and at a frequency thereafter established by the department as provided by regulations of the department.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 35 P.S. Health and Safety § 6021.501. Underground storage tank requirements - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-35-ps-health-and-safety/pa-st-sect-35-6021-501/
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