SPCC Facts
The following is a summary of the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulation originally enacted on January 10, 1974 under the Clean Water Act, 40 CFR, Part 112, and last revised in May 2007.
Who must have a plan?
Any business that has bulk oil with an aggregate aboveground storage capacity of 1,320 gallons of oil or more per location. The key word is "capacity." Regulations apply regardless of whether the tank is full or nearly empty. This regulation does not apply to facilities with underground storage tanks subject to state UST regulations.
What is Considered "Oil"?
Any kind of oil in any form such as crude oil; refined petroleum products (gasoline & diesel fuel); sludge; waste oil; oil emulsions; lube oils; grease; fats, oils or greases from animal, fish, or marine mammal origin; vegetable oils, including oils from seeds, nuts, fruits, or kernels; and other oils and greases, including synthetic oils and mineral oils.
What is Considered "Bulk Storage"?
Any container with a capacity of 55 gallons or more.
When is the deadline?
Existing SPCC plans must be revised to meet the 2002 regulatory changes by November 10, 2010. Facilities placed in service between August 16, 2002 and November 10, 2010 must have plans developed and implemented by November 10, 2010. Facilities that meet the above criteria that were in service on or before August 16, 2002 and do not have SPCC plans are out of compliance.
What are the fines for non-compliance?
Fines can start at $1,000 for not having an SPCC plan in place. This does not include possible fines from 68 other categories. Fines are normally assessed in proportion to the size of the facility.
What is in the SPCC Plan?
The plan must include information on storage containers, maps and diagrams of the facility, secondary containment structures, flow patterns of site drainage, preventative measures, containment procedures, cleanup equipment and material, employee training, routine inspections and recordkeeping.
Will I have to have secondary containment for all my bulk oil?
YES. The secondary containment must hold the contents of the largest container plus freeboard for precipitation if outdoors. Double-walled storage tanks do not need additional containment.
If I have secondary containment in place, do I still need an SPCC Plan?
YES. You still must have the written plan with certification.
I don't have containment where we load and unload trucks. What should I do?
It may not be necessary to build a load pad or catch basin; however, if it is required, the structure must hold the largest single compartment of any truck loaded or unloaded. A recent rule clarification states that only facilities with "load racks" are required to have secondary containment for trucks.
Do my employees need to be trained?
YES. Employees handling oil products will need to be trained at least once a year. These employees must be trained on proper operation and maintenance of the bulk oil facility to prevent spills and the proper response to control, contain, and clean up a spill.
What are "multi-sector" inspections?
Inspector's who come to your facility for a particular purpose, may be armed with a "checklist" and have the authority to ask about other activities in your business that may be regulated. The inspector may be with federal EPA, a state agency or even the local government. Not only is it necessary to have your SPCC Plan in compliance, but you may be required to share other information with the inspector concerning:
- Tier II (Annual Chemical Inventory) Reporting
- TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) Reporting
- Air Permits
- Water (NPDES) Permits & Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
- Underground Storage Tanks, and
- Hazardous Waste Generation
* The facility must not have had (1) a single discharge of oil to navigable waters exceeding 1,000 U.S. gallons or (2) two discharges of oil to navigable waters each exceeding 42 U.S. gallons within any twelve-month period, in the three years prior to the SPCC Plan certification date, or since becoming subject to Title 40, Part 112 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) if facility has been in operation for less than three years.