California UST System Operator Practice Test

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the legislation that governs underground storage tanks (USTs) at the federal level. This act provides a framework for the management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste, including regulations pertaining to underground storage tanks that contain petroleum and other hazardous substances. RCRA establishes standards for the proper management, handling, and disposal of wastes to protect human health and the environment. The act specifically mandates that various aspects concerning UST design, installation, operation, maintenance, and closure be regulated to prevent leaks and contamination of soil and groundwater. Compliance with RCRA is essential for UST operators to ensure they are meeting federal requirements and protecting public health and the environment. The other legislative acts mentioned do play important roles in environmental protection, but they do not specifically focus on the regulation of underground storage tanks in the same way RCRA does. For instance, while the Clean Water Act addresses water quality standards and the Safe Drinking Water Act is concerned with ensuring safe drinking water, they do not directly regulate USTs. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as Superfund, deals with cleanup of contaminated sites rather than ongoing management of underground storage tanks.