What is an SPCC Plan and Why Do You Need One?
Oil spills—large or small—can have serious environmental and financial consequences for a facility.
Oil spills—large or small—can have serious environmental and financial consequences for a facility. That’s why the EPA requires certain sites to have a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan in place.
An SPCC plan is a written document required by the EPA for facilities that could reasonably discharge oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. The plan outlines the facility’s strategy to prevent oil spills, including measures for secondary containment, tank or equipment integrity, and staff training.
Does your facility need an SPCC Plan?
SPCC applies to a facility that: Is considered non-transportation-related; Is engaged in drilling, producing, gathering, storing, processing, refining, transferring, distributing, using, or consuming oil or oil products; Could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to navigable waters of the U.S. or adjoining shorelines; and Stores more than 1,320 U.S. gallons in total of all aboveground containers or more than 42,000 gallons in completely buried containers.
Where Do You Send the SPCC Plan?
Unless you’re asked for it, your plan stays onsite and is not required to be submitted to the EPA or your state office.
Required Updates and Reviews
If you make changes to your facility, you must update your SPCC Plan within six months of the change. Per requirements, review your SPCC Plan at least every 5 years and make changes accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an SPCC Plan and when is it required?
An SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure) Plan is a written EPA requirement for non-transportation facilities that store or handle oil and could reasonably discharge oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. Facilities storing more than 1,320 gallons in aboveground containers or 42,000 gallons in buried containers must have an SPCC Plan.
Q: What must be included in an SPCC Plan?
An SPCC Plan outlines the facility’s strategy to prevent oil spills and includes: secondary containment specifications for tanks and equipment, measures to maintain tank and equipment integrity, staff training requirements, inspection and maintenance schedules, spill response procedures, and cleanup procedures. Plans must address the facility’s specific operations and oil storage locations.
Q: Where should an SPCC Plan be kept and does it need to be submitted to the EPA?
Unless specifically requested by the EPA or your state, an SPCC Plan must be kept onsite and is not required to be submitted to regulators. However, the plan must be available for EPA inspection if an investigation occurs. iSi Environmental helps facilities maintain compliant plans ready for regulatory review.
Q: How often must an SPCC Plan be reviewed and updated?
Facilities must review their SPCC Plan at least every five years and update it according to changes in facility operations, storage capacity, or equipment. Any facility changes must be incorporated into the plan within six months. Regular reviews ensure the plan reflects current conditions and remains effective at preventing environmental contamination.
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