Underground Storage Tank (UST) Closures

CORE Environmental Consultants provides professional oversight and regulatory coordination for the closure of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) in accordance with NYSDEC 6 NYCRR Part 613, EPA 40 CFR Part 280, and local fire code requirements. Whether removing an active tank or documenting a long-abandoned system, our team ensures closures are handled safely, documented accurately, and reported correctly to avoid future liability or enforcement action.

Our services are tailored for property owners, facility managers, developers, and consultants working on regulated properties, Brownfield sites, or redevelopment projects involving former fueling or heating oil systems.

When Is a UST Closure Required?

UST closures are required when:

• A tank has reached the end of its service life
• A tank is no longer used or has been out of service for more than 12 months
• Site redevelopment, excavation, or renovation will disturb a tank area
• A tank is abandoned in place without closure documentation
• Regulatory agencies require corrective action or historical documentation
• Tanks pose a risk of leakage, contamination, or structural collapse

Proper closure prevents environmental damage, avoids future enforcement, and clears the way for safe reuse or redevelopment.

CORE’s UST Closure Services

We provide full-service support from investigation to final reporting, including:

• Regulatory notifications to NYSDEC and Fire Department
• Closure plans and permit support
• Tank location identification using records or GPR (if unknown)
• On-site tank removal or abandonment-in-place coordination
• Documentation of tank size, contents, and construction
• Over-excavation and cleaning of residual product or sludge
• Soil sampling at tank ends and beneath piping runs
• Field screening with photoionization detectors (PIDs)
• Laboratory analysis for BTEX, VOCs, and SVOCs (e.g., diesel range organics)
• UST Closure Report preparation with maps, photos, and lab results
• Spill reporting and coordination if contamination is found

We ensure the closure is both physically complete and regulatorily defensible.

Closure with Environmental Sampling

Soil sampling is a critical part of UST closure to verify no releases have occurred. CORE manages:

• Sample collection in accordance with NYSDEC DER-10 and Part 375
• Chain-of-custody and laboratory coordination
• Comparison to NYSDEC cleanup objectives (STARS list or SCOs)
• Preparation of analytical summary tables and endpoint justification
• Reporting for no further action (NFA) determinations

If contamination is found, CORE can transition directly into remedial planning, saving time and minimizing downtime.

Closure In-Place vs. Removal

CORE can support either method depending on site constraints:

• Tank Removal: Preferred where excavation is feasible. Includes cleaning, cutting, lifting, and transporting tank off-site for recycling or disposal.
• Closure In-Place: Used where tank removal would endanger foundations or critical infrastructure. Involves cleaning, sampling, and inert material (e.g., sand, slurry) fill.

We work with fire departments, DOB, and engineers to determine the safest, most cost-effective closure path.

Regulatory Standards

Our UST closure services follow:

• 6 NYCRR Part 613 Subparts 2 & 3 (UST standards)
• 40 CFR Part 280 – EPA UST technical and reporting regulations
• NYC and municipal fire codes for closure and removal
• NYSDEC spill response guidance and cleanup standards
• ASTM D4750 and D1586 standards for field methods and verification
• EPA Tank Closure Guidance Manual (EPA 530-R-94-002)

We ensure compliance across agencies and documentation that stands up to environmental and property reviews.

✅ Why CORE?

✔ End-to-End Support
From locating undocumented tanks to final closure reports, CORE manages every step of the closure process with efficiency and care.

✔ Experience with Regulated and Legacy Sites
We’ve handled closures for fuel tanks, heating oil systems, generator tanks, and industrial USTs—each with unique technical and permitting needs.

✔ Integrated Remediation and Compliance Services
If impacts are found, CORE seamlessly transitions to characterization, remedial design, and regulatory closure support.

✔ Fast, Regulator-Ready Documentation
We deliver clear, photo-documented, and properly formatted closure reports to expedite property transactions and agency approvals.