Energy Policy Act

On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law. Among other things, this law makes amendments to Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The Solid Waste Disposal Act was the federal legislation that originally created the underground storage tank (UST) program in 1986. The portion of the Energy Act that contains the amendments to this program is found in Title XV, Subtitle B, a portion entitled the Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2005. The legislation is aimed at reducing the number of underground storage tank releases to the environment by focusing on preventing releases. In order to successfully implement the changes prescribed by the new legislation, EPA and the state will work closely with tank owners, operators, as well as other stakeholders.

The provisions targeted by this legislation include:

• UST Inspections
• Operator Training
• Secondary Containment or Financial Responsibility/Installer Certification
• Delivery Prohibition
• Public Record
• State Compliance Reports on Government Owned/Operated Underground Storage Tanks

For additional information regarding Louisiana's actions to meet the standards set by the Energy Act including answers to when and how the changes will be implemented, refer to the Summary of the Federal Provisions and Deadlines.