Oregon UST Operator Training

UST Operator Certification Procedures

Class A/B Operator Training
Class A/B Operator Training in Oregon is approved by the Oregon DEQ.
Class C Operator Training
PASS Class C Operator Training is an accepted form of training by the Oregon DEQ.

Updated in 2021! 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’ state-specific A/B 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

Owners/operators of all USTs must register their USTs with the DEQ by submitting a completed Application to Install and Operate Regulated Tanks. The form provides guidance on calculating the registration fee, which must be paid at the time of registration and annually thereafter.

Release Reporting

Owners/operators must report any suspected or confirmed releases to the Oregon Emergency Response System (1-800-452-0311). Information on spill reporting and a downloadable Spill/Release Report Form can be found on the DEQ’s Leaking Underground storage tank program.

Release Detection

UST owners/operators in Oregon may use manual tank gauging or automatic tank gauging (ATG) as to monitor their tanks for releases. Piping can be monitored using automatic tank gauging (ATG). Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR) is an accepted method for non-pressurized piping.

Systems installed or replaced after March 2008 must meet secondary containment requirements with interstitial monitoring as release detection.

Release Prevention

For all UST systems installed or overfill equipment replaced on or after March 1, 2003, an owner and permittee must be able to provide visual verification that the overfill equipment functions as required by OAR 340-150-0310. For overfill equipment installed before March 1, 2003, an owner and permittee must be able to demonstrate to the department that the equipment functions properly by any method deemed acceptable by the department.

Financial Responsibility

Oregon 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
Trust fund
Stand-by trust fund

Owners/operators may learn more by reading the DEQ’s fact sheet “Documenting Compliance with Financial Responsibility.”

Inspection & Testing Requirements

An inspector from the DEQ will periodically inspect each UST facility. The inspector will want to see all paperwork regarding:

Operator training;
Notification, permit, and fees (as applicable);
Corrosion protection;
Overfill prevention;
Spill prevention;
Tank and piping release detection;
Financial responsibility;
Reporting of suspected releases;
Tank and/or piping repairs;
Secondary containment (where required); and
Temporary closure.

Owners/operators can learn more about compliance inspections in the DEQ’s publication Preparing for an UST Compliance Inspection.

Delivery Prohibition/Non-Compliance Enforcement

In Oregon, the DEQ uses a "green tag" approach to product delivery. A registration certificate from the current year serves as a "green tag." Without it, no delivery can be made. Registration should be renewed annually.

If a DEQ inspector determines that a UST or UST system is out of compliance with UST regulations, he or she may nullify your registration certificate and initiate non-compliance enforcement procedures. (See OAR 340-150-0250 and 340-012-0074 for more information on enforcement procedures.) Tanks that are ineligible to receive fuel are listed on the DEQ’s website.

Temporary & Permanent Closure

Temporary Closure

You must notify DEQ within 30 days of placing your UST system into temporary closure by submitting a Notification of Temporary Closure of Underground Storage Tanks.
Upon receipt of a temporary closure notification, DEQ will issue a Temporary Closure Certificate that is valid for one year. Before the year is up, a decision needs to be made to do one of the following:
- Complete a change-in-service;
- Permanently close the UST system;
- Place the UST system back into operation; or
- Ask for an extension of the Temporary Closure Certificate by submitting the form entitled Request for Extension – Temporary Closure of Underground Storage Tanks and the results of a current site assessment.

Permanent Closure

At least 30 days before beginning permanent closure, the owner and permittee, or the licensed service provider on behalf of the owner and permittee, must submit an application (forms available here) for a permanent closure general permit to the department.
If the owner or permittee is proposing to permanently close the UST in-place and fill it with an inert material or if the UST contains a hazardous substance other than petroleum, the application must include a written site assessment plan that meets the requirements of OAR 340-150-0180. Permanent closure cannot begin until the department approves the site assessment plan.
The DEQ likes to oversee permanent closures, so you need to send the DEQ the itinerary of the day you intend to close the system at least three working days before the scheduled date.
The permittee must empty the UST system and clean it by removing all liquids and accumulated sludge. The USTs and removed materials must be recycled or disposed of in accordance with all federal, state and local requirements.

Recordkeeping

Maintain the following documents:

Maintain records of all replacements and repairs for the life of the UST system.
Annual functionality tests of the release detection and release prevention systems should be kept for three years
The last three impressed current tests and the last two functionality tests of your corrosion protection system.
Monthly/annual walkthrough visual inspections should be kept for one year.
written performance claims and maintenance schedules from the manufacturers for the life of the system.
The last completed tightness test and the last 12 months of monitoring records for piping release detection.
The last 12 months of monitoring records if you use and ATG, SIR, or interstitial monitoring as your primary method of release detection.
The last 12 months of monitoring records and the last two tightness tests if you use manual tank monitoring or inventory control as your primary method of release detection.
Keep records of the site assessment results required for permanent closure for at least three years after closing a UST.