Kentucky UST Operator Training

UST Operator Certification Procedures

Class A/B Operator Training
Designated Compliance Managers (A/B Operators) is an accepted training method in Kentucky
Class C Operator Training
Kentucky UST Class C (Facility Employee) Operator Training is an accepted training method in Kentucky.

All of PASS’ UST operator training courses meet and exceed the federal requirements for UST operator training and are offered through our in-house designed and built Learning Management System (LMS). PASS’s state-specific training courses are custom tailored to meet state requirements and are accepted by more states than any other training provider. Our courses are available on demand, 24/7, and are accessible from any internet-connected computer, tablet, or phone. The student can complete an entire course in a single session or take the course in segments. The training may be stopped and restarted, allowing for maximum schedule flexibility. PASS also does not impose time restrictions on course access, so students may take as much time as they need to complete their training. Once training is completed a certificate is available to save and print.

Registration & Fees

Registration: Owners/operators of all USTs must register their USTs with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by submitting a completed UST Facility Registration Form. Once received by the UST Branch, the registration form will be reviewed for completeness. If the information is complete and the owner/operator (applicant) is eligible to participate in the Petroleum Storage Tank Environmental Assurance Fund (PSTEAF), the UST Branch will issue a Certificate of Registration and Reimbursement Eligibility form.
Tank Fees: Annual tank fees are assessed for each UST that contained product after July 1, 1990. A $30 annual tank fee is assessed for each tank on July 1 every year.

Release Reporting

Owners/operators must immediately report any suspected or confirmed releases to the Environmental Response Branch at (800) 928-2380 or (502) 564-2380.

Release Detection

UST owners/operators in Kentucky may use any of the following methods of release detection:

Manual tank gauging;
Automatic tank gauging (ATG);
Interstitial monitoring;
Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR); or
Tank tightness testing.

Financial Responsibility

Kentucky follows the federal financial responsibility coverage amounts found in 40 CFR §280.93 (scroll to page 77 of 119 in the pdf document). Owners/operators may use any of the following mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility.

Financial test of self-insurance
Guarantee
Insurance and risk retention group coverage
Surety bond
Letter of credit
State-required mechanism
State fund or other state assurance
Trust fund
Stand-by trust fund

Inspection & Testing Requirements

Inspectors from the Department of Environmental Protection Division of Waste Management UST Branch (USTB) Field Operations Branch routinely conduct Technical Compliance Inspections (TCIs) for each UST facility. The field inspector will do the following:

Verify the technical compliance requirements applicable to a UST system;
Inform the owner and/or operator of any noted deficiencies; and
Serve as an objective resource for owners and operators on the various options available to meet requirements.

The USTB Compliance Section provides necessary follow-up to the TCIs by contacting owners and operators on referred and deficient inspections. This follow-up helps owners and operators attain and maintain compliance with technical and recordkeeping requirements and helps in the pollution prevention effort.

Delivery Prohibition/Non-Compliance Enforcement

If a USTB inspector determines that a UST or UST system is out of compliance with UST regulations, he or she may initiate non-compliance enforcement procedures. The USTB will first issue an NOV, which lists the date delivery prohibition will begin if violations are not corrected. If not corrected within that time frame, a second NOV will be issued to enforce delivery prohibition. The UST will then be red-tagged. Within two business days of receipt of written notice that the violations have been corrected, the USTB will remove the red tag. The USTB maintains a list of UST Facilities with UST(s) Ineligible for Delivery or Deposit on its website.

Temporary & Permanent Closure

For Closure Instructions, see the Energy and Environment Cabinet Division of Waste Management Underground Storage Tank Branches
Closure Form. For additional forms needed, see the Kentucky Administrative Regulations page.