Field Guide to Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
(Updated September 2005)
Underground storage tanks (USTs) remain an important tool for many businesses, but the owners of USTs should be aware that they face significant liability exposure from a variety of sources should leaks occur. This page includes articles, studies, Web sites, and other material relating to underground storage tanks. Books can be borrowed through the Information Central library by clicking on the book title. (R. Carlson, Information Specialist)
Information from NAR
Key Components and Implications of the Issue, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® - Government Affairs, 2001).
NAR Position/Policy Statement, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® - Government Affairs, 2001).
UST Basics 
Benzene can make you very sick, know the risks and reduce the odds, (Realty Times, May 12, 2005).
Determining market perceptions on contamination of residential property buyers, (The Journal of Real Estate Research, Apr./June 2005). Q
N.J.: task force tackles insurance issues, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, Mar. 2, 2005).
Insuring your underground storage tanks, (Realty Times, Nov. 24, 2004).
UST program hits 20, (NPN, National Petroleum News, Aug. 2004). Q
Re-lining underground fuel tanks to protect drinking water, (Realty Times, June 10, 2004).
Coffers poised to open, (NPN, National Petroleum News, Aug. 2003). Q
Soil testing a common step in early stages of a project, (Triangle Business Journal, Apr. 28, 2003).
Feds hand off underground tank enforcement to state, (Pacific Business News (Honolulu), Sept. 30, 2002).
Upkeep for USTs, (National Petroleum News, May 2002). Q
Friendly to the environment, (National Petroleum News, May 2001). Q
Old underground oil storage tanks should not kill a real estate transaction, (Realty Times, Nov. 2, 2000).
Thousands down, but hundreds more to go, (Sacramento Business Journal, Sept. 29, 2000).
Underground storage tanks brochure, (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2000).
Liability Issues
Washington Perspective, (NPN, National Petroleum News, Aug. 2005). Q
Senate overwhelmingly passes energy bill long sought by Bush, (Wall Street Journal, June 29, 2005). Q
Companies seek protection from MTBE lawsuits, (NPN, National Petroleum News, Mar. 2005). Q
Arizona heading the wrong way on underground tank cleanups, (Realty Times, Sept. 2, 2004).
Underground storage tank liability, (Rough Notes, Aug. 2004). Q
BP to fund cleanup of 122 gas stations, (Wall Street Journal, Dec. 19, 2002). Q
MTBE is a lingering problem, (Realty Times, Apr. 18, 2002).
Underground storage tanks: Are you in compliance?, (Fleet Equipment, Feb. 2000). Q
Bury it, but don't forget it, (National Petroleum News, Feb. 2000). Q
Underground tank owners beware, (Journal of Property Management, July/Aug. 1999). Q
Pump-and-treat rescue, (Civil Engineering, Mar. 1998). Q
Expediting contaminated site cleanup in California, (Pollution Engineering, Jan. 1998). Q
Investor & lender reactions to alternative sources of contamination, (Real Estate Issues, Aug. 1997). Q
Appraisal Issues
Surveys, market interviews, and environmental stigma, (The Appraisal Journal, Fall 2004). Q
Effect of previous environmental contamination on industrial real estate prices, (The Appraisal Journal, Apr. 2001). Q
Mitigating factors in appraisal & valuation of contaminated real property, (Real Estate Issues, Summer 2000).
Commercial and industrial: Underground storage caverns, (Assessment Journal, May/June 2000). Q
Liquidity loss and delayed transactions with leaking underground storage tanks, (The Appraisal Journal, July 1999). Q
The price and liquidity effects of UST leaks from gas stations on adjacent contaminated property, (The Appraisal Journal, Apr. 1999). Q
Liquidity loss and delayed transactions with leaking underground storage tanks, (The Appraisal Journal, July 1997). Q
Websites & Organizations to Contact for More Information
Environmental Council of the States
444 North Capital St.
Suite 305
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-624-3660
Email: ecos@sso.org
http://www.sso.org/ecos
National Conference of State Legislatures
Energy, Science and Natural Resources
1560 Broadway, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-830-2200
http://www.ncsl.org
The Groundwater Foundation
P.O. Box 22558
Lincoln, NE 68542-2558
Phone: 800-858-4844
Email: info@groundwater.org
http://www.groundwater.org
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
Phone: 202-208-3100
Email: webteam@ios.doi.gov
http://www.doi.gov
EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks, (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2000).
Home Heating Oil Underground & Above Ground Oil Storage Tank Problems & Solutions, (American Micro Publish, Dan Friedman, 2000).
eBooks & Other Resources
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Powerlines, docks, underground storage tanks... ignore at your own risk, (Florida REALTOR®, Apr. 2003, p. 26-31).
Fixtures - oil storage tanks are personal property of tenant rather than fixtures entitling tenant to relocation payments, (National Property Law Digests, Jan. 2000, p. 7-8).
Environment: insureds are entitled to attorney's fees incurred in defending action for contamination of property, (National Property Law Digests, Nov. 1999, p. 170-171).
Musts for USTs: A summary of federal regulations for underground storage tanks, (Washington, D.C. United States Environmental Protection Agency, July 1995). NAC 1565 Oh3
Don't wait until 1998: Spill, overfill, and corrosion protection for underground storage tanks, (Washington, D.C. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1994). NAC 1565 Un3d
The effeect of underground storage tanks on residential property values in Cuyahoga County, OH, (Ohio: Ohio State University - Center of Real Estate Education & Research, 1994). NAC 1565 Oh3
Contaminated real estate: Implications for real estate appraisers, (Vancouver, British Columbia: Research & Development Fund; Appraisal Institute of Canada, December 1992). HD 1387 Ap6cr
Field Guides & More
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Effects of Hazardous Waste on Property Values
Dealing with Stigmatized Properties
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The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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