SPCC regulations found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 112 (40 CFR 112) were promulgated to help prevent the discharge of oil from non-transportation related onshore and offshore facilities into U.S. navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. These regulations require facilities that are not specifically exempted to develop and implement site-specific SPCC Plans. A SPCC Plan is required for non-transportation related facilities that meet the following conditions:
- The facility stores, processes, transfers, distributes, uses, consumes, drills, produces, gathers, or refines oil or oil products (e.g., petroleum oils, gasoline, asphalt, kerosene, motor oil, animal and fish oils, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, and others);
- The total aggregate aboveground storage capacity for all individual containers with a capacity of greater than or equal to 55 gallons is greater than 1,320 gallons; and
- A discharge could be reasonably expected to impact waters (not considering intervening man-made features).
Common SPCC regulated oil storage present at industrial facilities include aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) used for fueling vehicles, equipment, or boilers, power generators, totes, drums, and oil-filled operational equipment, including electrical transformers containing mineral oil.
Most SPCC Plans must be certified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). However, facilities which have 10,000 gallons or less of total oil capacity and have not had a reportable discharge in the past three (3) years may self-certify their SPCC Plan (Tier II qualified facilities). Additionally, facilities that meet the Tier II criteria plus have no individual aboveground storage container with a capacity greater than 5,000 gallons qualify as a Tier I facility and may use a simplified U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) template for their SPCC Plan.
The purpose of a SPCC Plan is to plan and document measures to facilitate prevention, control, and response to a release of regulated oil at the site.
In addition, these Plans outline the notification requirements and provide contact information for internal contacts, reporting to regulatory agencies, and sometimes outside spill response contractors. The SPCC rules dictate specific requirements for what information is required in the SPCC Plan. SPCC Plan elements typically include the following:
| General Facility Information | Potential Spill Volumes, Directions of Flow and Control |
| Management Commitment | Containment and Diversionary Structures |
| Designation of Facility Response | Inspections, Test and Records |
| Oil Storage Description/Tables | Personnel Training |
| Facility Diagram | Security |
| Transfer Loading/Unloading Procedures | Drainage of Diked Areas |
| Discharge and Drainage Controls | Integrity Testing |
| Spill Response and Reporting | Plan Certification |
The EI Group, Inc. has a staff of Professional Engineers licensed throughout the southeastern United States that are knowledgeable on the SPCC rule and qualified to develop, update, and certify SPCC Plans. Many of our industrial clients who qualify as Tier I or II facilities have also found it useful to consult with us on the content of their self-certified Plans. EI can also assist with required training and integrity inspections.
Contact us today at (800) 717-3472 to speak with an environmental professional.