Regulated Storage Tanks (RST) Division

The ADEQ Regulated Storage Tank (RST) Division drafts, administers and enforces state regulations pertaining to underground storage tanks as prescribed by 40 CFR 280, as well as aboveground petroleum storage tanks. These tanks are located primarily at retail gasoline and diesel sales facilities, but may also include bulk petroleum storage facilities, private fleet fueling facilities, and emergency generating stations.

The controlling regulation for regulated storage tanks in Arkansas is the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission's Regulation 12.  As of September, 2002, it has revised requirements for Release Notification which are summarized on our Regulation 12 page.

Prior to the mid 1980s, underground storage tanks had been regulated piecemeal by the federal government through various environmental statutes.  When studies revealed growing problems with a large number of tank systems, along with an alarming potential for future problems, Congress mandated changes that were initiated by the states.  These standards focused on new tank system installation standards, existing tank upgrades, registration requirements, closure requirements and corrective action requirements.

Besides overseeing the regulatory program, the RST Division administers a trust fund for storage tank owners to help them meet their financial responsibility requirements or use for cleanup costs.  The agency also may activate the fund for emergencies associated with storage tanks.

Contact Information

Mission Statement

To protect and enhance human health and the environment by the prevention and remediation of pollution from regulated storage tank systems through a program of rule making, compliance monitoring/enforcement, corrective action, administration of the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund and encouraging voluntary efforts to protect and improve the environment for all Arkansans.