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Pollution Prevention Initiatives
Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks
The use of underground and aboveground storage tanks (USTs and ASTs) can pose a serious threat to the environment and human health. In recognition of that potential, Penn State has developed a Storage Tank Management Program to reduce the environmental risk to the minimum possible by ensuring that tanks throughout the University system that are used to store petroleum products are safe and environmentally sound. EHS administers this program.
Currently, the University is regulated by three authorities, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP), and the PA Department of Labor and Industry (PaL&I).
Penn State has implemented a number of measures to reduce the environmental risk of tanks used for our facilities. Since 1985, PSU has removed approximately 275 tanks, resulting in a decrease in storage volume of approximately 500,000 gallons. Replacement of removed tanks has been only when it has been demonstrated that a replacement is truly needed and has generally been with aboveground tanks of lesser volume.
This section describes strategies at reducing the environmental and human health impacts of underground and aboveground storage tanks.
Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plans
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plans provide a formalized approach to storage tank management. These plans provide site-specific measures that address pollution prevention, notification, and emergency response that are all aimed at minimizing the environmental impacts of fuel spills and releases.
All University facilities that have oil storage above proscribed volumes are required to have these plans in accordance with federal regulation 40 CFR 112. Facets of these plans include tank-specific monitoring and inspection, regular maintenance, and documentation. These activities are directed at prevention and early detection of releases.
On-site Facility Managers have been integral in the development and implementation of their specific plan, with EHS oversight. Through site-specific training, facility personnel are able to provide prompt and efficient measures to mitigate oil spills and releases. Absorbent materials are present at each facility for this use.
UST/AST Management Program
Until the mid-1980s, most USTs were made of bare, unprotected steel, which is likely to corrode over time and allow UST contents to leak into the environment. Faulty installation or inadequate operating and maintenance procedures also can cause USTs to release their contents into the environment.
The greatest potential hazard from a leaking UST is that the petroleum product can seep into the soil and contaminate ground water, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. A leaking UST can present other health and environmental risks, including the potential for fire and explosion. In addition ASTs, especially single-walled tanks, can rust over time, and if not adequately inspected and replaced, can release their contents to the environment, often in a catastrophic mode.
In light of these considerations, Penn State has had active programmed removal of "at risk" tanks since the mid-1980's. This program, which is under the direction of EHS, includes:
- Expansion of gas service to remote locations, thereby eliminating the need for heating oil storage tanks
- Replacement of USTs with double-walled ASTs when replacement is needed and feasible
- Equipping storage tanks with monitors, that allow a quick and easy means of determining if a tank is leaking
- Reduction of existing tank volume with smaller replacements
- Elimination of all single-walled USTs that do not have tank monitors
Tank Facility Considerations
The minimization of the number of storage tank facilities, as well as using best management practices in the design of new facilities, decreases the potential for oil spills and releases.
In an effort to reduce the pollution potential of oil storage facilities, Penn State, through EHS, has implemented a process to assess the need for storage tanks. The tank selection process considers the needs of the user, such as tank location, and tank use, and matches these with environmental considerations. A review is made to determine if the tank is needed by the facility, or if an alternative fuel could be used. Environmental considerations for a facility include decisions such as AST or UST, tank size (fill more frequently versus storage of a larger volume), and manual/visual tank monitors versus electronic alarmed monitors.
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