TCEQ’s New PST rules go into effect January 1, 2021

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Petroleum Storage Tank rules that became effective in May 2018 have different timelines for compliance. Some of these rules become enforceable after January 1, 2021, so facilities should review these rules and verify compliance before this deadline.

Background: TCEQ adopted rules incorporating changes from EPA’s 2015 revisions to the federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 280. The rules were published in the Texas Register on May 25, 2018 and became effective on May 31, 2018. To view these rules, please visit 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 334 . A summary of these rule changes is available in the TCEQ UST Updated Rules Summary.

These rules include the following requirements that will go into effect on January 1, 2021:

• Annually test release detection equipment, including, but not limited to: automatic tank gauges; probes and sensors; automatic line leak detectors; vacuum pumps and pressure gauges; and groundwater and vapor monitoring equipment.
• Perform periodic testing and inspection of spill prevention equipment and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring. The frequency depends on the equipment type.
• Either test the spill prevention equipment and containment sump integrity once every three years; OR
• Have double-walled spill prevention equipment and containment sumps that are monitored once every 30 days; and
• Inspect overfill prevention equipment at least once every three years.
• Perform walkthrough inspections of spill prevention equipment (spill buckets) and release detection equipment every 30 days. If your UST system receives deliveries at intervals greater than 30 days, you may check spill prevention equipment prior to each delivery.
• Complete annual walkthrough inspections for all containment sumps regardless of installation date.
• Conduct annual walkthrough inspections of handheld release detection equipment, such as tank gauge sticks or groundwater bailers (if applicable).
• Airport Hydrant Systems must inspect hydrant pits and piping vaults at least once every 30 days (if confined space entry is not OSHA-required) or annually (if confined space entry is OSHA-required).

More information can be found on the PST Compliance Resources webpage or in the PST Super Guide (RG-475). If you have additional questions, you may contact the Small Business and Local Government Assistance section at (800) 447-2827.