SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure)
Last reviewed · By Chad Griffith
An SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure) Plan is a written plan required under EPA's Oil Pollution Prevention regulation, 40 CFR Part 112, that prevents oil discharges to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. SPCC Plans are required for any onshore facility that has aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity exceeding 1,320 US gallons or completely buried storage capacity exceeding 42,000 US gallons, and that could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to waters of the US. The plan must be prepared in accordance with good engineering practice, address spill prevention, control, and countermeasures, and be certified by a Professional Engineer (or self-certified for Tier I qualified facilities under specific size thresholds).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must prepare an SPCC plan?
Per 40 CFR 112.1, any non-transportation-related onshore or offshore facility engaged in drilling, producing, gathering, storing, processing, refining, transferring, distributing, using, or consuming oil or oil products must have an SPCC plan if: aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity exceeds 1,320 US gallons OR total buried oil storage capacity exceeds 42,000 US gallons, AND the facility could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.
How often must an SPCC plan be reviewed?
Per 40 CFR 112.5, the plan must be reviewed at least once every 5 years and amended within 6 months of any change that materially affects the facility's potential for discharge. The 5-year review must include consideration of more effective prevention and control technology and result in either a written statement that no amendment is required or amendments to the plan.
What facilities qualify for self-certification (Tier I)?
Per 40 CFR 112.6, Tier I qualified facilities (Streamlined SPCC) are those with aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity of 10,000 US gallons or less AND no individual aboveground oil storage container with capacity greater than 5,000 US gallons AND no oil discharges in three years that exceeded 1,000 gallons in a single discharge or 42 gallons in two discharges within any 12-month period. Tier I facilities can self-certify the plan; Tier II and full SPCC require Professional Engineer certification.
What documentation must accompany an SPCC plan?
Required SPCC documentation includes: the plan document with PE certification (or owner self-certification for Tier I); facility diagram showing oil storage locations; inspection records on the schedule specified in the plan (typically monthly); training records for facility personnel; spill incident reports; oil-handling personnel training records; and any plan amendments with dates and approving signatures. Records must be retained for 3 years per 40 CFR 112.7.
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