Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

Revised UST regulations, Effective December 1, 2021 – DEEP has made revisions to Connecticut’s Underground Storage Tank (“UST”) regulations section 22a-449(d)-101 to 113, inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.  These revisions are in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“USEPA”) rule change to the federal underground storage tank regulations, published on July 15, 2015.  DEEP’s revisions to the UST regulations ensures that the UST Program is no less stringent than the federal program and that the UST Program can maintain state program approval from USEPA.  Maintaining state program approval from USEPA ensures that the UST Program will continue to receive federal grant funding to continue implementing Connecticut’s robust UST inspection and enforcement program.

COVID-19 UST Questions and Answers   

Planning a UST Removal?

Please use the fillable form, Notification of Scheduled Permanent Closure of USTs and send to DEEP.30DayUST@ct.gov.

Reminder:  Notice is required 30 days PRIOR to removal.

Review DEEP Fact Sheet on Sampling and Analytical Methods for Underground Storage Tank Closure prior to removal of the USTs.

Also please be aware that Notification using EZFile is still required no later than 30 days after removal of the UST is complete.

 

Note: The owner of a site, where a UST System was last used by a prior owner or operator, may request an exception to the use of ezFile for notification of UST closure provided the following terms and conditions are met: 

Eligibility Criteria

The UST System must:

  1. have been used for the storage of heating oil for on-site consumption only;
  2. not have been used to power an emergency generator;
  3. have been permanently closed by a prior owner or operator;
  4. have been removed from the ground or permanently closed in-place in accordance with R.C.S.A 22a-449(d)-1(k).

If the eligibility criteria has been met, please complete and submit the Heating Oil UST Reporting Exemption Request Form and attach any supporting documentation that demonstrates the UST System was permanently closed.

Alternate Life Expectancy for Certain Underground Storage Tanks

FOR PETROLEUM USTS WHICH ARE USED FOR HEATING OIL FOR ON-SITE CONSUMPTION       

On May 24, 2017, pursuant to section 22a-449(d)-1(h)(3) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA), the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection issued an Approval of an Alternative Life Expectancy for Underground Storage Tanks Used Solely for Storage of Heating Oil for On-Site Consumption (Second Approval). For underground storage tanks (USTs) subject to RSCA section 22a-22a-449(d)-1, that satisfy eligibility criteria and certain terms and conditions, this Second Approval extends the life expectancy of a tank to forty (40) years from the date of installation. Prior to this second approval most USTs had a life expectancy of 30 years.

Notification to the department is not required at this time.

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FOR PETROLEUM USTS NOT USED FOR HEATING OIL FOR ON-SITE CONSUMPTIONOn June 22, 2016, pursuant to section 22a-449(d)-111(d) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA), the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection issued an Approval of an Alternative Life Expectancy For Certain Underground Storage Tanks (Approval). For underground storage tanks (USTs) subject to RSCA section 22a-22a-449(d)-101 et seq., that satisfy eligibility criteria and certain terms and conditions, this Approval extends the life expectancy of a tank to forty (40) years from the date of installation. Prior to this approval most USTs had a life expectancy of 30 years.

Notification to the department is required. Eligible USTs that meet the terms and conditions of the Approval must send a Notice of Alternate Life Expectancy for USTs to the department. Also available in PDF.

If you need assistance in determining if your UST’s are eligible for this extension, or it is in your interest to meet and maintain the terms and conditions to maintain eligibility, it is recommended you consult with your UST equipment service provider, fuel supplier, or industry group.

(NEW) Alternate Life Expectancy Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Paperless Forms are Required with DEEP's ezFile!

ezFile

(https://www.ct.gov/deep/ezFile)

Need help with ezFile? Click here: List of Companies and Individuals Providing EZFile Services

First Time Users:

  • Set up User Accounts with usernames and passwords
    (Creating your ezFile Acct Tutorial) for

    • Owner/Operator

    • Subscribers

    • Class A and Class B Operators

    • Tank Installers.

  • Create a Subscriber Agreement (SA) electronically in ezFile. (SA Tutorial)

  • Print Subscriber Agreement (SA).

  • Get "wet" signatures on Subscriber Agreement. (Owner/Operator and any Subscribers)

  • Mail Subscriber Agreement to DEEP and wait for email approval.

  • Complete your Notifications and have them ready to file beginning August 1st.

Returning Users:

  • Log into ezFile with your username and password.

  • Select approved facility filings and renew, making any required changes.

  • Create new filings for facilities not previously submitted through ezFile.

  • Submit Notification and Fee Payment between August 1st and October 10th.

For questions or assistance regarding ezFile, please contact the Licensing and Enforcement Unit at 860-424-3374 or e-mail deep.USTEnforcement@ct.gov

Public Act No. 15-1 requires all communication with the DEEP to be electronic.  An exception must be granted by DEEP for any paper notification.  This exception must be requested by completing the Hardship Request form, DEEP-UST-Paper Filing-Hardship Request Form.

UST Notification, Compliance and Release Prevention

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov.  Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711.  In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.

Content last updated April 2024