[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 24]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR280.70]

[Page 472-473]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
                           AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 280--TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS (UST)--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart G--Out-of-Service UST Systems and Closure
 
Sec. 280.70  Temporary closure.


    (a) When an UST system is temporarily closed, owners and operators 
must continue operation and maintenance of corrosion protection in 
accordance with Sec. 280.31, and any release detection in accordance 
with subpart D. Subparts E and F must be complied with if a release is 
suspected or confirmed. However, release detection is not required as 
long as the UST system is empty. The UST system is empty when all 
materials have been removed using commonly employed practices so that no 
more than 2.5 centimeters (one inch) of residue, or 0.3 percent by 
weight of the total capacity of the UST system, remain in the system.
    (b) When an UST system is temporarily closed for 3 months or more, 
owners and operators must also comply with the following requirements:
    (1) Leave vent lines open and functioning; and
    (2) Cap and secure all other lines, pumps, manways, and ancillary 
equipment.
    (c) When an UST system is temporarily closed for more than 12 
months, owners and operators must permanently close the UST system if it 
does

[[Page 473]]

not meet either performance standards in Sec. 280.20 for new UST systems 
or the upgrading requirements in Sec. 280.21, except that the spill and 
overfill equipment requirements do not have to be met. Owners and 
operators must permanently close the substandard UST systems at the end 
of this 12-month period in accordance with Secs. 280.71-280.74, unless 
the implementing agency provides an extension of the 12-month temporary 
closure period. Owners and operators must complete a site assessment in 
accordance with Sec. 280.72 before such an extension can be applied for.