Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) 2013 College and University Hazardous Waste Conference By Rob Lowe, Environmental Engineer, VT EHS November 29, 2018
About Virginia Tech 31,000 students 2500 acres main campus Several off campus college farms 13 off campus agricultural research farms Other facilities
About me Graduate of Virginia Tech in Environmental Engineering 25 years in environmental field 17 years at Virginia Tech Responsible for environmental compliance at VT (air, petroleum, stormwater, waste, etc.) 3 3
SPCC Overview Purpose Who is covered? What types of oil? What is included? What are navigable waters? What is required?
SPCC Overview Who can certify? What do you do now? What if there is a spill? For more information
Purpose “To prevent the discharge of oil into navigable waters.”
Who is covered? Total above ground storage of >1,320 US gallons, or Total underground storage of > 42,000 US gallons, and Reasonable expectation of a spill reaching navigable waters.
What types of oil? Petroleum, fuel oil, oil sludge, fats, animal oils, greases, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, and mineral oils. Excludes, (drum roll, please) milk!
What is included? Only count > 55 gallon containers Bulk storage tanks Buried tanks (total or partial) Mobile or portable tanks Oil-filled equipment
Typical Farm Tanks
Not Typical Farm Tanks
What are navigable waters? Does my facility discharge to navigable waters? Yes
What is required? Prevent oil spills Use suitable containers Provide overfill protection Provide secondary containment Periodically inspect and test containers and pipes
What is required? Prepare and implement an SPCC Plan Describe operating procedures to prevent spills Implement control measures Describe countermeasures to mitigate a spill
Who can certify? Can self-certify (if certain criteria are met) Otherwise, a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) needs to certify
What do you do now? Prepare SPCC plans if you don’t have them Review and recertify existing plans Annually, train people on the plans!
What if there is a spill? Safely, stop discharge and clean it up If oil reaches navigable waters, report to National Response Center immediately (1-800-424-8802) Report to local regulatory authorities Call 911 if needed Report larger spills to EPA Produce any follow up reports
Practical Considerations One or many plans? Who does inspections? If there is a spill, who do you call? What about training? Generator tanks Equipment EPA Inspection
What do you do with this?
What do you do with this?
What do you do with this?
For more information www.epa.gov/emergencies http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/spcc/spcc_guidance.htm
About me Rob Lowe, P.E. Environmental, Health and Safety Virginia Tech (540) 231-2510 rlowe@vt.edu
Questions? Discussions?