News And Events

Happy Earth Day 2013.

At UST Training, we like to think every day is Earth Day because of our commitment to clean drinking water. Every day we strive to prevent future leaks and spills from UST systems through helping create a better trained population of Class A, B and C UST operators. It’s our way of trying the make the world a good place to live in. Safer, smarter, better.

Some UST owners go a step future and take measures to reduce pollution impacts in other ways. One of our favorite customers is Sequential Fuels in Oregon, whose convenience stores boast things like solar-powered canopies, “living roofs”, and local, organic snacks. Check them out!

One big way we want to celebrate Earth Day this year is to extend a 50% savings for all Class C courses your purchase from us from now midnight on Friday, April 26, 2013. It’s our way of saying thanks for your commitment as a customer and a concerned UST operator.

So go get trained and celebrate Earth Day all week. When you checkout use the coupon code EARTHDAY

Thanks and Happy Earth Day from all of us at UST Training.

Attention Oregon UST owner and operators. Our next scheduled Class A/B UST Operator Course is June 12, 2013 in Portland, Oregon. Sign up today and tell your friends! Learn more.

If you’re a UST owner in Washington, note that the Oregon class is approved by reciprocity in Washington.

Now that the warm weather is returning, be careful when you fill up your lawnmower’s little red gas can at your favorite local gas station. Did you know it’s not safe to fill the can in back of your car or truck? Of course you do because if you’re reading this you’re probably a Class A, B or C operator. But not everyone knows about gas station safety including your customers or staff. Last weekend I was at a local gas station and saw a number of customers filling up, obviously excited to mow the lawn, but one of them was filling up in the back of his truck: a big non-no.

What the problem? An unsecured plastic gas can in your vehicle can generate static electricity while moving around on carpet or a truck bed liner. If you arrive at a gas station with an electrically charged gas can, you run the risk of starting a fire when you touch the nozzle tip to the can.

The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) shares a video on the history of the gas station. We’ve had Class C UST operators for a long time; they just didn’t know it yet.

Every once in a while we like to look at the national picture of Underground Storage Tank compliance and wonder how effective is UST operator training, or, for that matter, how effective is UST enforcement by implementing agencies. If you go to EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tank (OUST) UST Performance Measures you can see how states, regions and tribes are doing. For Instance

Big Picture

• 483,508 Regulated USTs Active
• 1,777,339 Regulated USTs Closed (73%)
• 507,540 Confirmed Releases
• 426,637 Cleanups Complete (84%)

If you haven’t been to our YouTube web page in a while you might want to check it out: We’ve been adding videos lately that you can use to compliment what you know about UST system (Accidents, Inspections, Tank Savvy Minute playlists) or just get a laugh on funny clips (Humorous playlist). Enjoy!

Accident Videos

Inspection Videos

Tank Savvy Minute Videos

Humorous Videos

UST Training recently developed a template for UST owners to use to help them be prepared for an emergency spill, fire or release. Because of the Class C UST operator training rules, more and more states are starting to require UST owners not only have Class C operators trained to do emergency response but also have signage available if a problem happens after hours. This type of signage is required in Washington and Oregon and is a good idea at any UST site regardless.

The template comes with instructions and two fill-in-the-blank placards. Operators can download, print, fill in, laminate and post these signs: One at the fill area and one at the dispenser area.

For a limited time UST Training is making this Emergency Response signage available for free to download. These signs will be available in all of our Class A/B courses shortly, and not just WA and OR. Any questions just email us.

UST Training has teamed up with Las Americas Petroleum Services (LAPS) to provide what we believe to be the first-ever UST Inspector training class in the US–in Spanish.

The 4-days class will be held at Fort Buchanan in San Juan, Puerto Rico, April 23-26, 2013. Like our previous boot camps over the years, the training will be partial classroom learning with the rest in the field doing testing and inspecting exercises. Students can learn about line pressure, then test a product line. Students can learn about corrosion principles, then do a continuity test.

The course is suitable for anyone needing a hands-on education in UST technology, testing, inspection and maintenance. This can include government inspectors, owner and operators and compliance officers. It’s not limited to just inspectors.

Instructors Frank Aquino and Deborah Caban of LAPS have years of experience testing UST systems and training students. Ben Thomas and Steve Purpora have been doing our UST Boot Camp for years and will be on hand to help guide the class.

Dates:  April 23-26, 2013
Times: 8 AM to 4 PM each day
Location: Fort Buchanan, San Juan, PR
Cost: $2,195 per person
Prerequisites: None. All are welcome. The course is excellent for UST beginners as well as seasoned inspectors.

Register now. Seating is limited. Attend this first ever UST Boot Camp in Spanish this spring.