Above Ground Storage Tanks (AST) vs. Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)    What is changing in the world of fuel storage that is affecting owner/operators of fuel tanks?  In one word - regulation.  As the state of Illinois hammers owners/operators of USTs with more regulations, organizations with USTs are needing to rethink how they store fuel. For many years USTs were the preferred method of storing fuel as they were underground and out of sight.  Storage capacity with USTs was seemingly unlimited and not much thought was given to environmental and local regulations. USTs are excellent for establishments that want to…

As sure as death and taxes, new Illinois UST Regulations are here again affecting contractors and owner/operators of underground fuel tanks. The unyielding growth of new regulations each year leaves many organizations with USTs frustrated and confused.  Many of the new changes to the regulations come straight from the 2015 Federal UST Regulations.  The main reason for these new regulations is to reduce the possibility of releases from USTs that can threaten human health and the environment, contaminating both soil and groundwater.  Since 2015, more than 525,000 UST releases have been confirmed. As implementation begins and the details get  discussed…