CFR > Title 40 - Protection of Environment > CHAPTER I—ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY > SUBCHAPTER I—SOLID WASTES (Parts 239–282) > PART 280—TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS (UST) > SUBPART G—Out-of-Service UST Systems and Closure (§280.70 to §280.74) > 280.71—Permanent closure and changes-in-service.

280.71—Permanent closure and changes-in-service.

(a) At least 30 days before beginning either permanent closure or a change-in-service under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, or within another reasonable time period determined by the implementing agency, owners and operators must notify the implementing agency of their intent to permanently close or make the change-in-service, unless such action is in response to corrective action. The required assessment of the excavation zone under § 280.72 must be performed after notifying the implementing agency but before completion of the permanent closure or a change-in-service.
(b) To permanently close a tank, owners and operators must empty and clean it by removing all liquids and accumulated sludges. All tanks taken out of service permanently must also be either removed from the ground or filled with an inert solid material.
(c) Continued use of an UST system to store a non-regulated substance is considered a change-in-service. Before a change-in-service, owners and operators must empty and clean the tank by removing all liquid and accumulated sludge and conduct a site assessment in accordance with § 280.72.

Code of Federal Regulations

Note: The following cleaning and closure procedures may be used to comply with this section: (A) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 1604, “Removal and Disposal of Used Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks”; (B) American Petroleum Institute Publication 2015, “Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks”; (C) American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 1631, “Interior Lining of Underground Storage Tanks,” may be used as guidance for compliance with this section; and (D) The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health “Criteria for a Recommended Standard * * * Working in Confined Space” may be used as guidance for conducting safe closure procedures at some hazardous substance tanks.