Oil Spill Prevention and Counter Control (SPCC) Plan

SPCC Overview

SPCC stands for Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure. The need for an SPCC Plan relates to the storage of oil (defined by EPA generally as petroleum products but also include transformer oil, hydraulic oil, quenching oil and cooking oil) and the ability of our facility (St. John’s/Order of St. Benedict) to protect against the discharge of oil to a receiving water body which EPA defines as a "navigable water". Simply put, an SPCC Plan is required for St. John’s/Order of St. Benedict, which, due to the location, could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to surface water or adjoining shorelines and has:

  • Total aboveground storage capacity of 1,320 gallons or more of oil (however, only containers or oil-containing equipment with a capacity equal to or greater than 55 gallons count toward the threshold); or
  • A total oil underground storage capacity of 42,000 gallons or more (however, underground storage tanks subject to regulation under RCRA [40 CFR 280 or 281] are not included); or
  • Been required by the EPA to prepare and implement an SPCC Plan.

If under a "worst case scenario" a release of oil could reach a nearby stormwater catch basin and ultimately reach either lakes Sagatagan, Stumpf ; Gemini or a wetland, creek, stream and other nearby water body, and assuming the oil storage threshold volumes noted above are met, SPCC plan is required. The easiest way to visualize a "worst case scenario" is to think of a release of all the oil that is stored at the facility during a thunderstorm event. If oil can reach a water body during these release conditions, the potential exists and, therefore, compliance with SPCC rules is required.

EPA has specific notification and reporting requirements in the event of an environmental release, (for example, causing a film, sheen or other discoloration of the navigable water. These and other requirements are detailed in the accessible St. John’s/Order of St. Benedict SPCC Plan. The official signed SPCC plan resides in the Environmental Health and Safety office at PENGL 201. Copies are available to all St. John’s /order of St. Benedict individuals indicated in the plan as emergency contacts.