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Fuel Tanks and Seismic Stability

bigstock-White-Tanks-In-Tank-Farm-With--339534433.jpgFuel tank farms provide gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to people in Oregon. However, many tanks in Oregon are vulnerable to earthquakes, which means they present a risk to the local communities and the environment. 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is developing a program that evaluates the vulnerability of fuel tank systems to earthquakes and requires facilities to develop a plan to minimize risk. These rules will apply to facilities managing over two million gallons of fuel in Lane, Multnomah and Columbia counties.  

The facilities' plans will include actions to protect public health, life safety, and environmental safety within the facility, in areas adjacent to the facility and in other areas that may be affected as a result of damages to the facility. The plans must also consider the impacts of a magnitude 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, the potential consequences of that event and the resources needed to respond. 

DEQ will develop this program in consultation with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, known as DOGAMI, and the Oregon Department of Energy. 

Stay informed! 

Join DEQ's email list to stay up to date about DEQ’s work for this program, the Rules Advisory Committee and public engagement opportunities. The list is called Fuel Tanks and Seismic Stability and is under Cleanup Program, Sites and Spills. 

Current status

DEQ has established a Rules Advisory Committee that will provide input and suggestions during the development of these new rules. Visit Fuel Tank Seismic Stability rulemaking page information about the rulemaking process. Once the rules have been adopted, updates to the program will be posted here. 


Key dates

On June 3, 2022: SB 1567 becomes effective

By mid- 2023: The Environmental Quality Commission adopts the proposed rules to implement this program based on the recommendations of the Rules Advisory Committee.

By June 1, 2024: Facilities must submit their plans with an assessment of current conditions and a plan for what to do to reduce risk.

After June 1, 2024: DEQ begins reviewing facility plans.

By Nov. 1, 2024: DEQ will report to the legislature to summarize the information DEQ has received and any policy recommendations to improve the program.

Contact

Program: Mike Kortenhof
Fuel Tank Compliance Manager
971-563-0111

Media: Lauren Wirtis
Public Affairs
503-568-3295