The Oil Control Program

The Oil Control Program (OCP) within the Land and Materials Administration of the Maryland Department of the Environment regulates oil-related activities in the State, such as aboveground and underground oil storage facilities, oil-contaminated soil treatment facilities, and oil transportation.  Through a combination of OCP staff and certified individuals, the OCP oversees the installation, maintenance, operation, and removal of oil storage tanks.  The Program maintains a strong field presence to accomplish these tasks.  OCP inspectors investigate complaints of illegal dumping and the improper handling of oil as well as non-compliance with state and federal regulations.

NEW Regulations – Oil Pollution Control & Storage Tank Management​

The new regulations become effective on June 13, 2022.

On May 24, 2022, the Secretary of the Environment adopted revised oil pollution control and storage tank management regulations, which were proposed on January 28, 2022. These new regulations:

  • ​​Incorporate the current federal underground oil and hazardous substance storage tank system regulations into Maryland regulations;
  • Add new regulatory chapters governing aboveground oil storage tanks;
  • Revise reimbursement limits for certain homeowners under the Residential Heating Oil Tank Site Rehabilitation Reimbursement Program; and
  • Establish new State regulations for high risk oil storage facilities that dispense motor fuel, aboveground oil storage tank systems, marina motor fuel dispensing facilities, and the transportation and storage of heating oil.
​The following are documents regarding the new regulations:

 
  • The previously available Guided Copy of the Proposed Regulations. This is the version that includes highlighted regulatory changes, and each regulatory chapter is bookmarked for easy navigation.
 NOTE - This version does not include the non-substantive changes that are in the final regulatory version (see Notice of Final Action below): however, this version is readily available for use and is being made available here until the updated version is completed.

 
  • The Notice of Final Action published in the June 3, 2022 issue of the Maryland Register announcing the Secretary's decision to adopt the revised regulations and the new regulations' effective date (a copy is also available at Maryland Register Online).
  • A compliance guide on how affected small businesses can comply with the new regulations.
  • MDE's response to public comments received on the proposed regulations that were published on January 28, 2022.
  • A description of revisions made to the regulations proposed on January 28, 2022 in response to public comments received on the October 18, 2021 draft proposal.
Additional fact sheets and other guidance documents will become available under the Oil Control Program's Fact Sheets and Publications webpage.
      
Underground Storage Tanks

The OCP has highly trained staff to help companies and individuals ensure that their underground storage tanks (USTs) are in compliance with State and federal regulations.  All regulated USTs within Maryland are required to be registered through the UST Notification Program.  All USTs storing motor fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel) must meet specific technical standards (corrosion protection, spill/overfill prevention, leak detection, and financial responsibility) or be removed from the ground.  For additional information, please visit our Underground Storage Tanks page.  For additional information on UST Certifications, please visit our UST Certification Programs page.    

Aboveground Storage Tanks

The OCP issues oil operations permits to facilities that store virgin oil in aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) with 10,000 gallons or more capacity or that store used oil in ASTs with 1,000 gallons or more capacity.  Our staff is available to assist in reviewing plans and is available to interpret State and federal regulations regarding ASTs.  For additional information on ASTs, please visit our Aboveground Storage Tanks page.

Residential Heating Oil

The OCP does not regulate residential heating oil tanks if they are less than 1,100 gallons while they are in normal use.  However, once a residential heating oil tank is no longer in use, the owner is required to have the tank and all connected pipes and fill lines removed by a Maryland certified UST remover or technician.  Please visit our Residential Heating Oil page for more information on this and the Residential Heating Oil Tank Site Cleanup Reimbursement Program.
  

Remediation S​ites

When there is a release of oil into the environment, the OCP oversees the cleanup to assure the protection of Maryland citizens and our environment.  For additional information, please visit our Remediation Sites page.  Additionally, the Fact Sheets, Publications, and Reports page provides links to many oil remediation related activities.

Oil Transportation

In an effort to ensure the safe transportation of oil within Maryland, the OCP issues specific permits to transportation and transfer companies.  The OCP also oversees the Oil Transfer Licensing and associated fee collections to help fund Maryland's oil pollution programs.  Please visit the Oil Transportation Licenses and Permits page for more information.

UST Loan Program

A program managed through the Water Quality Financing Administration (WQFA), known as Linked Deposit may provide owners of underground oil storage tanks a way to replace those tanks. Click here for more information or contact Michael Roberts at (410) 925-4793 or by email at michael.roberts@maryland.gov


 

Upcoming Oil Control Program Public Meetings and Hearings

​ None at this time
 

For Further Information

Oil Control Program

(410) 537-3442; (800) 633-6101 x3442

Residential Heating Oil Tank Site Cleanup Reimbursement Program

(410) 537-3676; (800) 633-6101 x3676

To Report Oil Spills Call (Available 24 hours a day)

1-866-633-4686  ​​

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