There are new TCEQ Regulations that became effective as of October 30, 2008. This includes secondary containment, dispenser sumps, monitoring of sumps installed after January 1, 2009, and requirements for existing UST systems installed prior to January 1, 2009. Read More
Tips for Using SIR - Aug. 2008
A customer who has a pressurized or suction system may be using SIR (and is a 3rd party certified method) as their monthly release detection for their tanks, which also includes the lines as well. With a pressurized system, the mechanical line leak detector will still need to have a annual performance test done. Read More
But I have Sumps… - July 2008
A lot of the newer fueling stations at convenience stores have been installed with sumps at the submerged turbine pump (STP) and at the dispensers. The purpose of the sumps is to keep fuel that may leak around the fittings from getting into the ground causing contamination and they also protect the equipment from corrosion. Read More
Are You in Compliance with TCEQ? - April 2008
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is doing more underground storage tank inspections and issuing fines for violations. Read More
Have You Seen a Ghost? - March 2008
Every once in a while, someone will buy a piece of property and while clearing off a section of land, and doing some excavating, they may come across what appears to be old gasoline tanks. Read More
Look Out for Trends - Feb. 2008
We have had several cases where the owner or operator is checking the ATG everyday and keep getting pass results, but not looking closely at their inventory control forms to check if there are any “trends” such as seeing a loss or gain everyday. The first few days may show a “trend” that by the end of the month would exceed the allowable limit. Read More
High Price of Fuel and Programmed Tank Testing - Dec. 2007
What does the high price of fuel have to do with “Standard” tank testing when an ATG is used? I have noticed that many locations are starting to keep low inventory in the tanks based on the ATG printouts, (especially for super unleaded) because the high price of fuel fluctuates a lot form week to week. Read More
What’s coming up for USTs and TCEQ - Nov. 2007
On August 8, 2005, President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The UST provisions of the Energy Policy Act focus on preventing releases such as… Inspections – From 08/08/07– 08/08/10, ALL registered UST facilities will be inspected by TCEQ. Read More
UST Systems and TCEQ Rules Made Simple - Aug. 2007
Over the years I have worked for the TCEQ and PSI, the one thing I noticed was a lot of tank owners and operators really didn’t understand what they had, how it operated and what the basic regulations were. So, I decided to put together an informational CD. Read More
What’s The Big Deal Anyway - May 2007
TCEQ inspectors are out there checking a lot more facilities. If they are registered tanks, they will be inspected. What has been coming up lately is a lot of closed businesses with gas tanks that the owner just locked the doors and walked away from. Read More
2 Things You Should Know - April 2007
1. From the Newsletter of the Steel Tank Institute, Division of STI/SPFA dated February 2007.
2. From the TPCA Facts #534 dated March 5, 2007. Read More
Keeping Track of Testing - March 2007
I keep track of annual line & line leak detector testing, tank testing, individual line test or leak detector test on a database from all of our offices that do testing. For those locations that an annual line & line leak detector test is due here are some examples. Read More
Just a Bunch of Numbers - Feb. 2007
Just about every time I do a Compliance Survey at a location to check if the facility is within state & federal guidelines, the most common thing I find is inventory control is not being done correctly. Common mistakes are. Read More
Secondary Containment - Jan. 2007
“Section 1530 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires states receiving federal funds under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require either secondary containment or under-dispenser containment for new and replaced underground storage tank or evidence of financial responsibility and installer certification.” Read More
What Do I Have? - Dec. 2006
We have noticed that a lot of folks that buy a convenience store with a fueling system really don’t know what they have or what is registered with the TCEQ even though the owner provided the last copy of the TCEQ Underground Storage Tank and Self-Certification Form. Sometimes they just go by what the previous owner says. Read More
What’s a Few Numbers - Nov. 2006
In recent months I have done quite a few Compliance Surveys and since I started working for PSI in October 1999, I have done 225 Compliance Surveys. During this time and even recently, one thing that seems to get forgotten more often than not is INVENTORY CONTROL, which involves keeping track of “a few numbers”. Read More
What’s New - Oct. 2006
TCEQ Inspections, New labels for diesel fuel and TCEQ Field Citation. Read More
Fuel for Thought - Sept. 2006
With the high price of fuel these days close to $3.00 a gallon there are a lot of things we can do on our own to reduce our consumption of fuel and energy, just on a day to day basis. Here are a few Thoughts… Read More
If it’s too good to be true...It Probably Is! - Aug. 2006
We have recently seen a lot more convenience stores with a UST system being sold. Some of these locations have been closed for several years and a few are currently in operation. Sometimes, the seller will reduce the price substantially for a quick sale. If the location is good and the store looks very nice, then the buyer probably got a deal too good to be true. Read More
What’s New at TCEQ - July 2006
May 13, 2006 - The TCEQ initiated a new program to expedite the enforcement process for inspection of UST systems called “The Field Citation”. This is issued at the time of the TCEQ inspection at your facility. The purpose of this is two fold. Read More
Tips for Using SIR - June 2006
If the customer has a pressurized or suction system and is using SIR (and a 3rd party certified method) for monthly release detection for the tanks, this also includes the lines as well. With a pressurized system, the line leak detector will still need to have an annual performance test done. Read More
What’s New at TCEQ - May 2006
March 13, 2006 - The TCEQ has initiated the new “Field Citation Program” in four agency programs. The majority being in the PST program. Read More
What Are The Chances? - April 2006
Did you know the “Energy Bill” includes provisions for Underground Storage Tank (UST) facilities under Title XV, Sub chapter B, that you should be aware of? Read More
Are You Rusting Away? - March 2006
A common myth was if a tank owner had steel tanks they had to be pulled out of the ground by the end of 1998. Actually, what the TCEQ rules require is that if you have steel tanks after Dec. 22, 1998, they must have corrosion protection including any other steel components of the UST system that are in contact with the soil. Read More
The Magic Rope - Feb. 2006
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but that’s not true! For years I have been lifting the manhole covers over the submersible pumps (with my back) using the handle provided. Here is an easier way. Read More
Getting Inspected? - Jan. 2006
The TCEQ will generally give you 7-10 days notice that they are coming to inspect your facility and what documents they will want to review. Here are a few tips to help prepare you. Read More
Line & Line Leak Detectors - Dec. 2005
For pressurized systems: if the tank owner has a pressurized system for fueling, the TCEQ requires a detector, whether it is mechanical or electric. This article will deal with lines that have mechanical line leak detectors and testing requirements. Read More
Tank testing - Nov. 2005
This article talks about when a tank test required, and what reasons would require a precision tank tightness test. Read More