FARM STORAGE TANK REQUIREMENTS

This fact sheet presents an overview of the requirements for farm storage tanks established under the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act (Act 32 of 1989, as amended), "the Act". The Act establishes a comprehensive regulatory program for both underground (UST) and aboveground (AST) storage tanks and facilities that store regulated substances. The Storage Tank Program is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The Act defines a farm as land devoted to the production of crops, livestock and livestock products for commercial purposes. A farm tank is used for activities which include the production, processing or retail marketing of crops, livestock or livestock products. If less than 50 percent of such processed or merchandised products are produced by the farm operator, the storage tank is not considered a farm tank.
All storage tanks should be periodically checked for structural integrity, deterioration and releases for safety reasons and to protect the environment from pollution. By maintaining the tank and promptly cleaning up any spills or overfills, the tank owner can reduce the chance of a costly cleanup.
(Standard information on addresses, phone numbers and web site address)
Farm tanks which are regulated by the Act include:

ASTs and USTs in excess of 1,100 gallons which store motor fuels such as gasoline, gasohol and diesel which is not used for resale

ASTs in excess of 1,100 gallons storing motor oil, lubricating oil or hydraulic fluid

ASTs in excess of 250 gallons and USTs in excess of 110 gallons containing motor fuels used for other business activities such as fueling school buses, commercial trucking and excavating

ASTs in excess of 1,100 gallons and USTs in excess of 110 gallons storing substances used for production of crops and livestock which contain hazardous substances. These may include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and fertilizer solutions.

Tanks located on farms which are NOT regulated under the Act include:

Heating oil tanks if used to produce heat on the premises

Propane tanks

Pressure vessels operating at greater than 15 psig

Liquid manure tanks

Tanks not containing a regulated substance

Requirements for tanks regulated under the Act include:

Registration and payment of the annual registration fee

Annual payments to the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund administered by the Department of Insurance (USTs only)

Use of a department certified installer to install, modify and close tanks

Meet the technical requirements for tank construction and operation

Monitor for releases using an appropriate leak detection method such as inventory control, automatic tank gauging and interstitial monitoring

Report any confirmed release to the appropriate DEP regional office

(This also applies to tanks not regulated under the Act)
Sources of funding for tank closure or replacement and cleanup costs:
Storage Tank Loan Fund

Administered by the Department of Commerce (717) 783-5046

Eligibility must be determined before projects begin

Must own six or fewer regulated tanks

2 percent interest rate with terms up to 10 years

Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund

Administered by the Department of Insurance (717) 787-0763

Available to owners of regulated USTs for remediation of a release

Payments must be current and tank must be in compliance with technical and administrative requirements including leak detection

For more detailed information on the Storage Tank Program contact DEP at 1-800-42-TANKS or (717) 772-5599. The Department has numerous fact sheets, publications and guidance documents available on the various aspects of the Storage Tank Program. A request form is attached for your convenience.
(Attachments)
Public Information Request Form
List of regional offices