TMS has just received notice from KDHE that they will be extending the deadline to March 1, 2021 for AST Permit Renewals in the upcoming 2021-2022 permit cycle .  Previously KDHE had extended the deadline to January 30, 2021.   

KDHE acknowledges that travel plans may be altered due to the precautions we are taking to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  Therefore, if your certificate is expiring before you can attend a class, KDHE is offering another extension of time.  In the event a trainee or operator is hesitant about traveling to an Operator Training venue or the class is cancelled, the trainee/operator may request an extension of the Class A/B Operator Training for 3 months past their initial due date, certificate expiration date, or re-training date.  This extension is only for operator training certificates set to expire between December 2020 thru March 2021.  An Operator Training Request for Extension Form must be completed, signed, and submitted to KDHE for review and approval prior to the trainee’s or operator’s required certification due date or expiration date.  An additional extension may not be granted for those who received a previous extension. 

The Operator Training Request for Extension Form is available on the KDHE website at: https://www.kdheks.gov/tanks/download/Operator_Training_and_COVID-19_Extension_Application.pdf

You can also find the form on the TMS website at: https://tms.wildapricot.org/page-18105

Upon approval of the 3-month extension, the trainee or operator must maintain compliance and proper operations of each designated facility.  Any trainee or operator granted a 3-month certification extension must attend a classroom training venue as soon as possible in order to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.  Extension requests will be tracked per operator and per facility.

If you have questions regarding this new 3-month Operator Training Extension Form, please call Marcus (785-263-6372) or Kelsey (785-296-7007) at KDHE.

Please click here and you will be re-directed to our Fuel True website for COVID-19 resources & updates.

As of June 18, 2020, the approved amended Storage Tank Regulations have been published by the Secretary of State in the Kansas Register. The effective date of the regulations is July 6, 2020.  TMS is here to help you incorporate these changes into your business and ensure you are prepared for these new regulations.

• Kansas Register: Volume 39, No. 25; June 18, 2020. (see page 819)
• Storage Tank Regulations.pdf

Dear UST Community – 

Some of you may have already seen that ASTM recently published a new standard for spill bucket and sump testing https://www.astm.org/Standards/E3225.htm.  We received several inquiries on whether this new standard meets the requirements of the federal UST regulation for spill prevention equipment or sump testing (40 CFR § 280.35). The 2015 UST regulation requires spill prevention and sump testing be done using a liquid, pressure, or vacuum test. The ASTM E3225-20 is visually based, and while a thorough visual check can always be beneficial, these procedures do not meet the requirements in 40 CFR § 280.35.  

If owners and operators follow this standard and do not perform the correct testing requirements, they will be in violation of the regulatory requirements, and subject to appropriate enforcement.  I am personally very concerned that some in our community might get confused by this.  Please help us in spreading the word that these procedures do not meet the requirements in 40 CFR § 280.35.  

To address this matter, we added two new questions and answers to OUST’s web-based UST Technical Compendium about the 2015 UST Regulation at https://www.epa.gov/ust/underground-storage-tank-ust-technical-compendium-about-2015-ust-regulation#spillbuckets (click on “Spill buckets, under dispenser containment sumps, containment sumps”). 

We appreciate the continued dedicated effort and work by state and tribal UST programs; owners and operators; and others in the UST community in meeting all regulatory compliance requirements. As always, I thank you for all that you do to help us keep our environment safe from petroleum UST releases, which are a leading source of groundwater contamination. 

If you have questions about this, or feedback on what EPA can do to better assist you in achieving compliance, please contact Carolyn Hoskinson (Hoskinson.Carolyn@epa.gov) or Tony Raia (raia.anthony@epa.gov) at 202-566-1021).

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic & the Governor's Executive Orders, Operator Training Classes in April, May & June have all been Rescheduled.

The entire month of JUNE TRAINING DATES are as follows:   (locations remain the same except for Topeka & Leawood)

6/9/20 Salina

6/10/20 Manhattan

6/11/20 Topeka 

6/15/20 Hutchinson 

6/16/20 Wichita/Mulvane

6/17/20 Lawrence - formerly the Leawood class

6/18/20 Lawrence

6/30/20 Dodge City

If your certificate is expiring before you can attend a class, KDHE is allowing some extension of time.  You can view their criteria at the following link and file for that extension:

http://www.kdheks.gov/tanks/download/18March2020_Operator%20TrainingCOVID-19.pdf

Due to the Coronavirus Situation, the April Operator Training Classes scheduled on 4/8/20 Leawood & 4/9/20 Manhattan, have been postponed until a later date.  As soon as the dates are finalized, we will send an email to all those previously enrolled in the April classes informing them of the rescheduled dates.

We're experiencing very fluid times and things can change very quickly.  If further developments occur we will re-evaluate the situation & Notify You Of Any Changes.

If your certificate is expiring before you can attend a class, KDHE is allowing some extension of time.  You can view their criteria at the following link and file for that extension:

http://www.kdheks.gov/tanks/download/18March2020_Operator%20TrainingCOVID-19.pdf

Call Lori at 800-530-5683 or Dixie at 785-845-4510 if you have any questions or concerns.

The new UST regulations for owners & operators of UST systems are still at the AG’s office and waiting for approval.   If approved, KDHE will hold a 60-day Public Comment period and meet with the Legislative Research Committee.  KDHE will keep the regulated community apprised of progress and will let you know as soon as possible.  However, make sure you’re preparing yourself for the upcoming testing & inspections as they will be in effect and due on October 13, 2021.  Contact your service provider to have these new testing requirements scheduled as soon as possible.

KDHE is also working on implementing a new database system called KEIMS (Kansas Environmental Information Management System). 

Don’t Forget: AST information has also been sent out and is due to KDHE by 12/31/19. 

UST monthly monitoring forms were also sent out to owners and operators.  These forms, along with your inventory control forms, are due back to KDHE after the 1^st of the year.  Don’t forget to include the additional supporting information that is required to be turned in with these forms. 

And lastly, the Walkthrough Inspections will be enforced and due by April 30, 2020 so make sure you’re doing these now.  Also note that KDHE will ONLY except their Monthly Inspection Form and NO other.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR UST OWNERS/OPERATORS: 

The effective date of October 13, 2021 is a firm deadline required by KDHE and the EPA.  Implementation of this new requirement is highly encouraged in order to avoid associated penalties for non-compliance.  A penalty matrix is being developed and will be shared with facility owners and operators as soon as it is available.  Please contact the KDHE Storage Tank Section at (785) 296-1678 if you have any questions or would like additional information concerning the new requirements. 

The Storage Tank Section website can be found at www.kdheks.gov/tanks. The forms associated with the Walkthrough Inspection, and various other forms; including information for storage tank owners, owner/compliance forms as well as contractor forms can be found at:  www.kdheks.gov/tanks/download.html.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has a new requirement with regards to your UST Operator Training Certificate.  Attendees in each class must now either fax (785-559-4260) or email (marcus.meerian@ks.gov) their certificate to KDHE after they have completed the class.  In addition, they must also attach a list of facilities the certified person is responsible for.  You can write them on the certificate or attach a separate list.

UST permits expire every year on July 31st.  

A valid A/B Operator Training Certificate is required in order to get your UST permit.  

Don’t get caught being out-of-compliance!!!  

Check your certificate’s expiration date or call TMS to verify that your certificate is valid.

If you took the class in 2012 or after, you need to re-certify every 4 years from the exact date you took the last class.

TMS schedules 24 classes per year at locations all over Kansas.  Classes are filling up quickly so schedule your class today.  To find a class in your area go to our website at www.tankmgmt.net.

If you have questions please contact Lori Desch-Ranallo, Education Coordinator for TMS, or Dixie Challacombe at 785-233-1414.