Is it true that tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use are not regulated by 40 CFR part 280?

The statement that tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use are not regulated by 40 CFR part 280 is indeed accurate. This regulation primarily governs underground storage tanks that contain petroleum products and hazardous substances, but there are notable exemptions.

Specifically, tanks that store heating oil solely for on-premises use, meaning the oil is intended to be utilized for heating a building, are not covered under this regulation. This exemption recognizes the difference in risk and management associated with heating oil tanks compared to other types of USTs that might pose greater environmental hazards.

Understanding this context is crucial because it highlights the regulatory focus on managing risks associated with substances that are more likely to leak and pose contamination threats to soil and groundwater sources. Therefore, the true nature of heating oil storage tanks in terms of regulation under these federal standards aligns with the idea that they do not fall under the strict requirements of 40 CFR part 280, as long as the use is solely for consumptive purposes on-site.