WATCHING GOVERNMENT LIMITING TANK LEAKS

The Environmental Protection Agency disclosed last week it plans a four pronged attack on leaks from above ground petroleum storage tanks in the U.S.

Although leaking underground tanks have attracted much of the attention and extensive rules in recent years, above ground storage tanks (ASTs) are less regulated.

Some recent problems have exposed ASTs to more scrutiny.

CONCERN IN CONGRESS

Rep. James Moran (D Va.) authored a tough AST regulation bill last year after a 200,000 gal leak from a Star Enterprise tank farm in Fairfax City, Va. Star since has spent $200 million for compensation to nearby homeowners.

That bill has no chance of passage this session of Congress or next. But it prompted a House transportation and hazardous materials subcommittee hearing on the issue.

Moran said EPA estimates ASTs released about 14 million gal in more than 6,000 reported spills during 1988 90.

"Because above ground storage tank leaks are often slow, they frequently don't receive the attention of a large oil tanker catastrophe," Moran said. "But the released petroleum can present serious health, safety, and environmental risks."

Last July the American Petroleum Institute updated its voluntary AST guidelines with Standard 2610, a detailed set of best industry practices for tank design, construction, operation, and maintenance.

Moran said, "Obviously, many tank owners are choosing not to follow API standards."

API testified EPA adequately regulates ASTs under the Clean Water Act that requires tank owners to develop and implement spill prevention, control, and counter-measure plans.

API surveyed its members last July and said they reported some level of ground water contamination at 85% of refineries. API said the leakage can be primarily attributed to past operating practices.

API said most of those leaks came from pressurized buried piping, prompting it to stiffen its standards for pressurized lines. It said less than 3.6% of tanks in all age categories had bottom failures during the past 5 years.

Clark Houghton of Mid Missouri Oil Co., Rolla, Mo., spoke for the Petroleum Marketers Association of America.

He said, "There simply is not enough information currently available that defines the AST universe, let alone suggests any significant problems with ASTs.

"There has never been a comprehensive study that has gathered such basic data as the number, age, size, and location of AST facilities."

MEANWHILE, AT EPA...

Peter Robinson, a deputy assistant EPA administrator, said his agency is surveying the universe of regulated ASTs, believed to be about 500,000 tanks.

EPA Administrator Carol Browner created a task force last year to review the AST pollution issue. Robinson said, "We believe this is a serious problem."

The task force soon will recommend a four pronged response: better data collection, more regulations under existing law, voluntary programs with industry, and more legislation if necessary.