Spill Prevention Pollution, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)

Citadel EHS

We assess, resolve and strengthen the built environment.

Published Jul 19, 2023

The purpose of the Spill Prevention Pollution, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulation is to prevent oil from reaching navigable waters and adjoining shorelines, and to contain discharges of oil. The regulation requires facilities to develop and implement SPCC Plans and establishes procedures, methods, and equipment requirements.

A facility unrelated to transportation is subject to the SPCC rule if it has:

An aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons or a completely buried storage capacity greater than 42,000 gallons; and
A reasonable expectation of an oil discharge into or upon navigable waters of the US or adjoining shorelines.

Aboveground storage containers with a capacity of 55 gallons or more are included in the aboveground capacity threshold calculation. Oil of any type and in any form is covered, including, but not limited to petroleum; fuel oil; sludge; oil refuse; oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil; fats, oils, or greases of animal, fish, or marine mammal origin; vegetable oils; and other oils and greases, including synthetic oils and mineral oils. Oil-filled equipment such as hydraulic systems, transformers, and machining coolant systems are included in the aboveground capacity threshold calculation. A Tank in an Underground Area (TIUGA) is also subject to the SPCC rule even if its capacity is less than 1,320 gallons.

SPCC Plans must be certified by a Professional Engineer (PE) and re-certified by a PE whenever material changes to the plans are made. The SPCC Plan must be kept on-site at the facility and readily available for on-site review. SPCC Plans are required to be reviewed, revised, and recertified at least every five years.

A facility owner or operator may be eligible to self-certify the SPCC Plan if the facility has:

A total aboveground oil storage capacity of 10,000 gallons or less of oil;
No aboveground oil storage containers with a capacity greater than 5,000 gallons; and
No single discharge of oil exceeding 1,000 gallons or two discharges exceeding 42 gallons in any 12-month period or in the past three years.

If the SPCC Plan was written in 2018, the plan will need to be updated this year.

Citadel EHS has over 30 years of experience in supporting our clients with their environmental compliance needs and guiding them through the different regulatory processes. Our Environmental Compliance practice, led by Principal Nalinna Rasu, is here for your Spill Prevention Pollution, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) needs, including plan preparation, secondary containment evaluation, training, and plan implementation.