Dear Alaska UST Owner and/or Operator;
What is operator training and who is required to take it?
The Energy Policy Act of 2005, passed by Congress and signed by former President Bush, placed new requirements on federal and state governments for underground storage tanks (UST). One of these requirements is that each state must develop an operator training program for all UST owners and/or operators.
In 2011, the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (department) amended the state UST rules (18 AAC 78, Article 1) to include the new federal requirements, including the development of an UST operator training program. These proposed UST rules changes are undergoing final legal review and are awaiting the Lieutenant Governor’s signature to place them in effect. The department anticipates that these new UST rules take effect sometime during the Spring of 2012.
The federal law divides UST operators into three classes based on their duties. Each UST facility must have a designated Class A, B, and C operator. Each operator class is described below.
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CLASS A – Class A operators include owners or employees who have primary
responsibility to operate and maintain UST systems. Their focus is on the
broader aspects of the underground storage tank requirements. Class A
operators assign and ensure training for Class B and C operators.
CLASS B – Class B operators are responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance,
and recordkeeping for UST systems. Class B operators have an in-depth
understanding of all operations and maintenance of the UST systems.
CLASS C – Class C operators are on site daily and are generally the initial responders to
alarms and emergencies due to a spill or release from an underground storage
tank system. Class C operators are typically employees who are responsible
for the dispensing or sale of product.
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What is operator training and who is required to take it?
Most importantly, all operators must be trained and certified by December 31, 2012. If operators are not certified by this date, the owner and/or operator may be subject to penalties. A record of each operator’s certificate must be kept onsite. Additionally, a copy of each Class A and/or B operator’s training certificate must be submitted to department’s UST staff ensure the facility’s records are properly updated. If your UST system is found to be out of compliance, the Class A and/or Class B operator may be required to complete all or a portion of the training again.
The department is reviewing training programs provided by several commercial vendors. Training will be available in a variety of formats, including classroom, web-based, and on-site training. Each operator will be required to pass a test to become certified. Class A and B operators must be trained and certified through a department-approved training program. Class C operators may obtain their certification through a department-approved program or by on-site training provided and documented by the UST facility’s certified Class A and/or B operator(s).
Can one person have more than one certification?
Yes, an individual may be certified as both a Class A and B operator. Certified Class A or B operators are qualified to train Class C operators and, if they are the only person manning the site, act as Class C operators.
How will the new UST rule affect these training requirements?
Operators must be certified no later than December 31, 2012. The department encourages you to obtain the operator certification as early as possible. If an operator is certified before the release of the final UST rule changes, that operator will be “grandfathered in” as a certified operator under the new rule as long as the training is received from a department-approved commercial training vendor.
Where can I find a department-approved training course?
The department is in the process of reviewing and approving several commercial operator training vendors. Each company may provide a different format and fee for each class. As companies are approved by the department to provide UST operator training in the State of Alaska, the department will update the approved UST operator training vendor list that will be included on this site.
For more information concerning operator training requirements and procedures,
please contact one of the following department UST staff members:
Cheryl Paige
UST Technician
555 Cordova St.
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-269-7679
Fax: 907-269-7687
Cheryl.paige@alaska.gov |
Larry Brinkerhoff
UST Prevention Manager
555 Cordova St.
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-269-3055
Fax: 907-269-7687
Larry.brinkerhoff@alaska.gov
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