Texas
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Texas underground storage tank facilities are regulated by the TCEQ.  The Texas UST regulations are found in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 30 (Environmental Quality), Part 1 (TCEQ), Chapter 334 (Underground Storage Tanks regulations).

TCEQ has rules governing UST facility operator training requirements.   The Texas UST operator training rules requires the owner or operator of each Texas UST facility to train at least one employee in each of the following classifications:

1. Texas Class A UST Operator – The Texas Class A UST operator is typically the owner or manager of a UST facility who has general knowledge of regulations governing USTs. The Class A UST operator has responsibility for providing the appropriate resources and staff to maintain compliance with Texas and federal UST regulations.
2. Texas Class B UST Operator – The Texas Class B UST operator has responsibility for implementing the day-to-day, site-specific requirements including maintenance, operation, and record keeping at the UST facility. The Texas Class B UST operator also has responsibility for training the Texas Class C UST operators.
3. Texas Class C UST Operator – The Texas Class C UST operator is the first responder to emergencies at the UST facility. At a typical convenience store, the Class C UST operator will often be the clerk or attendant at the gas station.  At an industrial facility, the Class C UST operator could be a facility employee that works in the vicinity of the USTs.  The Class C UST operator must understand how to recognize alarms or emergency conditions, how to respond to alarms or spills, and how to call the Texas Class A or Class B UST operators and appropriate responders in case of an emergency or fuel spill.

In Texas, if you are the owner or operator of one or more regulated USTs, you are required to:

• Make sure all USTs, including those empty or in temporary closure, are registered with the TCEQ.
• Provide to the TCEQ proof of Financial Responsibility with the Underground Storage Tank Registration and Self-Certification form (TCEQ-0724).
• Annually, at least 30 days before it expires, obtain a new delivery certificate.
• Notify the TCEQ at least 30 days before beginning construction work at your UST facility.
• Notify the TCEQ of any changes in ownership or any other important aspects (e.g. financial responsibility, UST operator, release detection, spill prevention, corrosion protection, etc.) within 30 days of the change.

The list above is not an exhaustive list of owner and operator requirements.  The TCEQ has developed a UST and AST Superguide for operating, installing, replacing, removing, or registering a UST in Texas.

On October 13, 2015, USEPA finalized the first significant changes to the federal UST regulations since 1988. Texas revised UST regulations were final in May of 2018. These Texas UST regulation revisions are summarized in TCEQ UST Updated Rules Summary.

The most significant revisions to the Texas UST regulations went fully into effect on January 1, 2021 and are listed below.

• UST system compatibility demonstration;
• Monthly UST walkthrough inspections;
• Annual UST walkthrough inspections;
• Tri-Annual UST spill container and UST containment sump testing;
• Annual UST overfill prevention equipment inspections;
• Annual UST release detection equipment testing; and, but not limited to,
• Emergency Generator UST System and Airport Hydrant UST Requirements.

If you have questions about Texas UST regulations, Texas UST operator training, or any other Texas UST requirements, you may contact the TCEQ Petroleum Storage Tank Program by email ([email protected]) or phone at (512) 239-2160 or call the Texas Small Business and Local Government Assistance section at (800) 447-2827.