California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)

Question: Should abandoned underground storage tanks (USTs) be reported in CERS?

Answer: CCR Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 16, (Title 23) section 2611 defines an "abandoned UST" as an underground storage tank without a functional release detection system for more than 365 days, does not have a current operating permit, has not been permanently or temporarily closed in accordance with article 8, and is not a decommissioned tank.

Abandoned USTs must be recorded in CERS as "Applicable" for reporting and inspection purposes unless the owner has submitted the closure permit application to the UPA within 30 days of discovering the tank Failure to notify the UPA of the discovery of an abandoned UST(s) and failure to provide a proposal to close or remove the UST(s) may result in enforcement action including civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day per tank, refer to Health and Safety Code (HSC), Chapter 6.7, section 25299(b)(3).

Tank systems that are exempt from HSC, section 25281(y)(1) or Title 23, section 2612 are not USTs and must not be reported in CERS.

For more information contact your local UPA. For help contacting the appropriate agency, use the CalEPA Unified Program directory.