Spill Plans and New Hampshire's Above Ground Storage Tank Rules

Spill Plans (SPCC)

Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans include requirements for oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response to prevent oil discharges to our navigable waters. SPCC plans are a functional and practical document that aid in being ready in the case of a spill or emergency at your facility and how to respond if there is one.

If your dealership stores greater than an aggregate of 1,320 gallons of petroleum product (ex: used and new oil, brake fluid, ATF) in 55-gallon or larger drums/tanks or has one tank greater than 660 gallons, then you are required to have a Spill Prevention Countermeasure and Control (SPCC) plan and register your site (see below section Aboveground Storage Tank Regulations and Registration) with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES).

For sites that store up to 5,000 gallons of petroleum product or have up to 660 gallons of gasoline, you may self-certify your SPCC plan. The EPA’s self-certification template can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/osweroe1/‌content/spcc/tier1temp.htm. NHADA can assist with the completion of the SPCC template. All other facilities that store these products in greater quantities require SPCC plans that must be written and certified by a licensed NH engineer. NHADA has engineering firm resources through our Association Partnership Program that can assist you with this SPCC certification if your facility requires it.

Above Ground Storage Tank Regulations and Registration

New Hampshire Above Ground Storage Tank (AST) regulations require a number of compliance items to ensure that the tanks are properly functioning and protect the environment. The New Hampshire rule (AST Rules), require that an owner of a regulated AST facility register all ASTs with DES. A regulated AST facility is one that has single petroleum AST with a capacity of more than 660-gallons, or two or more petroleum ASTs having a combined storage capacity of more than 1,320-gallons. The AST registration process outlines many of the requirements for compliant operation of the ASTs at your site; that registration form and other information can be found here: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/waste/orcb/‌ocs/astp/permit-apst-facility-reg.htm. If you comply with all AST regulations, you may receive funding in a spill occurs.

Some of the requirements for ASTs are proper tank markings and labeling, overfill protection in the form of an independent audible and visible high-level alarm and a gauge, a Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure Plan, protection from the elements and stored on an impervious surface, and secondary containment (at least 110% of tank volume).