Underground Storage Tank Alternative Inspections

The RI DEM and FL DEP team allows a rather unique comparison to take place. Rhode Island is the only state that currently has an active UST ERP program. Florida has one of the oldest UST inspection and enforcement databases in the country. A goal of the project is to examine the transferability of ERP to other states as an alternative inspection/compliance program, and to provide critical data and data analysis to enhance other states' interest in implementing ERPs.

Over the last several months, major activities that took place included meetings and conference calls, updating of facility and tank baseline data, tabulation of 5-year historical compliance data, 2 ongoing linear regression analyses of 2004 baseline data, and ongoing interstate indicator comparative analysis. Information for the post-certification analysis was gathered as 81 of the 100 randomly-selected facilities were inspected. The project will provide data to help with an upcoming EPA response to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which calls for a broad study of alternatives to traditional enforcement.