Tank tags — can’t get fuel without them

Department of Environmental Conservation unveils system to show underground fuel storage tanks in compliance with state regulations

Petroleum News Alaska

In an effort to prevent leaking fuel storage tanks, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and a business owner unveiled a new “tank tag.”

Bill Tatsuda, owner of Tatsuda’s Gas at Last in Ketchikan received the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s first “license plate” showing his underground fuel storage tank system is in compliance with state regulations. At a ceremony May 31, Tatsuda was given the first tank tag in the state, which was posted at his gas station.

The tag shows the tank system meets state requirements for spill and leak prevention and maintenance. Tank owners cannot receive fuel from distributors until they have a tag, under a new DEC program which began in the fall of 1999.

Petroleum distributors in Alaska were reluctant to deliver fuel to tanks that had not met federal 1998 tank upgrade requirements. Hayden said the tag program will provide assurance to distributors that tanks are in compliance and safe to receive fuel.

“The main point here is to help tank owners find small problems before they turn into big ones” said Jim Hayden, manager of the Storage Tank Program.

The new tags are issued to owners of regulated underground tanks to show that a certified inspector has OK’d the necessary equipment for release detection, spill and overfill prevention and corrosion protection.

Inspectors verify that all the necessary equipment is present and functioning properly. Any corrections or repairs can be done before an inspection report is submitted to DEC. The department does not regulate home heating oil tanks.