Oil spill regulations

• preventing,
• preparedness for, and
• reaction to oil discharges at particular non-transportation-related facilities.

The aim of this legislation is prevent oil from achieving navigable seas and adjoining shorelines, also to contain discharges of oil. The regulation calls for these facilities to develop and apply Spill protection, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) programs and establishes treatments, practices, and gear demands (Subparts A, B, and C).

Rule History

In 1990, the Oil Pollution Act amended the Clean Water Act to require some oil storage space services to get ready Facility Response Plans. On July 1, 1994, EPA finalized the changes that direct facility proprietors or providers to prepare and publish plans for responding to a worst-case discharge of oil (Subpart D).

Following Floreffe, Pennsylvania oil spill in 1988, EPA formed the SPCC Task energy to look at national regulations regulating oil spills from aboveground storage space tanks. The SPCC Task Energy recommended that EPA:

• simplify specific terms in Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation,
• establish additional technical demands for regulated services, and
• need the preparation of facility-specific response programs.

As a result to the Task Force suggestion, EPA proposed changes into the Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation inside 1990s and finalized the amendments in 2002. EPA features since amended the SPCC requirements for the Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation to increase conformity dates and simplify and/or tailor particular regulating demands.