Printer-friendlyPetroleum Bulk Storage (PBS) Registration/Renewal
Why did I get a registration renewal application?
This facility's registration is due to expire. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) mails out renewal applications to the tank owner approximately two to three months prior to the expiration of a facility's five-year registration. If you already submitted a renewal application, you can disregard this mailing.
I no longer own this facility. Why did I get a registration renewal application?
A change in ownership should have been reported to the NYSDEC at the time of the closing/ownership transfer or shortly thereafter. If you no longer own the facility but received the registration renewal application, NYSDEC apparently was not notified of the change in ownership. Provide the current owner's name and address (if known) and return the renewal package to the NYSDEC office whose address is shown on the registration renewal application.
Do I have to register tanks of used oil? Are these tanks subject to registration fees?
All tanks storing used oil must be registered. There is no fee to register tanks of used oil that will eventually be picked up by a waste hauler. Used oil that gets burned as fuel is considered heating oil and may be subject to a registration fee (see question on "small heating oil tanks", below).
Do I have to register "Small Heating Oil Tanks" and pay a fee on them?
Small heating oil tanks are tanks of number 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 fuel oils, used oil (fuel), or kerosene which are: 1) under 1,101 gallons, 2) used for on-premises consumption at the same site, and 3) not interconnected to any other heating oil tank. Certain small heating oil tanks were deregulated from the PBS program effective August 8, 1996; this means that there is no registration or fee associated with some small heating oil tanks.
Whether or not you have to register and pay a fee on your facility's small heating oil tanks depends on the capacity of other petroleum products at the facility. If you have small heating oil tank(s) at your facility:
- 1) add the number of gallons of gasoline, diesel, lube oil, and kerosene that is not used for heating; 2) add heating oil tanks that are over 1,100 gallons each; and 3) add all other petroleum products (but exclude small heating oil tanks, and exclude tanks of used oil that is not used for fuel). The sum is your subtotal storage capacity.
- If this subtotal storage capacity is under 1,101 gallons, the facility is unregulated except for any used oil tanks. Otherwise, if the subtotal storage capacity is over 1,100 gallons, you must include the small heating oil tanks when computing the Total Storage Capacity at the Facility.
What are the fees for registration/renewal of my PBS tanks?
Fees are required for initial registrations, renewals, and changes of ownership. (There is no fee required for substantial tank modifications or information corrections.) If you need assistance in determining which tank(s) must be registered, and what the fee should be, please call the NYSDEC office whose number is listed on your registration/renewal form, or the Bulk Storage Helpline at (518) 402-9543. PBS registration fees are based on the Total Storage Capacity at the Facility. The fees cover a five-year period. (Please note that in some cases, used oil and small heating oil tanks are excluded from the calculation of "total storage capacity at a facility." See questions above regarding used oil and small heating oil tanks.) Fees are as follows:
| Total Storage Capacity at Facility | 5-Year Fee |
|---|---|
| under 1,101 gallons | $0 - Fee not required |
| 1,101-2,000 gallons | $100 per facility |
| 2,001-4,999 gallons | $300 per facility |
| 5,000-399,999 gallons | $500 per facility |
| 400,000 gallons and greater | facility must be licensed as a Major Oil Storage Facility |
Who do I make the check/money order payable to? Can I pay the fee electronically?
Registration/renewal fees must be paid by check or money order payable to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (or NYSDEC). An electronic payment option is not available at this time.
How do I indicate permanently closed tanks on my registration renewal application?
You must notify the appropriate NYSDEC regional office within 30 days prior to your intended tank closure date, and after tank closure you must send a closure report to the appropriate NYSDEC regional office. When completing the renewal application form, go to Section B (tank page). Note the key at the bottom of the page. The first column is labeled "Action." Cross out the present number in the first column (usually a 1) and put in the number 3 (which means "close/remove tank"). Go three columns over to the column labeled "Status" and cross out the 1 or 2 and put in either a 3 for "closed and removed" or a 4 for "closed in place." Go to the next column labeled "Installation or Permanent Closure Date." Cross out the installation date and put in the permanent closure date. Sign and date the first page, and send the form to the NYSDEC office whose address is indicated on the form.
How do I add tanks on my registration renewal application?
You must notify the appropriate NYSDEC regional office your intent to add tanks within 30 days prior to such installation. To indicate additional tanks on your renewal application, go to Section B (tank page). Note the key at the bottom of the page. Put the number 2 (for "add tank") in the first column labeled "Action". Then fill out the rest of the columns with the specific tank information. Please note that the tank number has to be unique, that is, use of the same tank number already registered for this site (whether the tank is closed or active) is not permitted. The Department suggests that you use an "A" or "-1" or a similar appendix to keep the new tank number similar to the original tank number but also fulfill the unique tank number requirement (e.g., if a previous tank number is 001 a suggested number change may be 001A or 001-1). Sign and date the first page and send the form to the NYSDEC office whose address is indicated on the form.
I never received my renewal application. Why not?
NYSDEC sends renewals out approximately two to three months prior to the registration expiration date. If the expiration date is more than three months away, the renewal wasn't sent out yet. If the expiration date is within two months or has already passed, call the Bulk Storage Helpline at (518) 402-9543. We will check our files to make sure we have your correct address. If you have changed your address or the information we have is incorrect, you must supply NYSDEC with the correct mailing address, and the renewal application will be sent out accordingly.
I sent in my registration/renewal application but never received a registration certificate. Why not?
Call the NYSDEC office listed on the registration renewal form, and request NYSDEC to check if we received your application. If the application was considered complete and processed over a week ago, or if your check has already been cashed, your mailing address will be verified and the certificate will be re-mailed. If your application was not received, we will ask you to verify that the application was mailed to the appropriate NYSDEC office address.
Do I need to have my underground storage tank tightness tested, and if so, how often?
Not all underground storage tanks require tightness testing. Testing requirements vary depending on the type of tank material and when the tank was installed. If required, tightness testing must be completed at least every five years.
- If there is a "last test date" preprinted on the renewal, the tank must be tightness tested at least every five years.
- Tanks installed before December 1986 (regardless of blank "last test date") most likely need tightness testing at least every five years. For pre-December 1986 tanks, please call NYSDEC at the telephone number listed on your registration renewal application and ask to speak to technical staff.
- For tanks installed after December 1998, no tightness testing is required.
- For tanks installed after December 1986 with no "last test date" preprinted, no tank testing is required.
I need to get a tank tightness tested. Who should I call?
While NYSDEC cannot recommend any specific company, the appropriate NYSDEC regional office can give you the names of some companies in your area that do tank tightness testing. You can also check the yellow pages of the telephone book under "Tank Testing" or "Environmental Services."
