Recent Blog Posts
AST Regulations vs. UST Regulations
When it comes to storing hazardous substances, the type of storage tank you use matters—not just for efficiency and safety but also for compliance with state and federal regulations. Herbert Lutz & CO. understand the key differences between Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs) and Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) and can help industries and property owners… Read More »
Understanding Federal UST Requirements for Emergency Power Systems
The maintenance and regulation of underground storage tanks (USTs) for emergency power systems are critical components for various types of establishments such as hospitals, data centers, and other mission-critical operations. The federal UST regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), set the benchmark for ensuring… Read More »
What You Need to Know About Emerging Fuels and Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
In recent years, as the push toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources has grown, the variety of emerging fuels has seen a significant rise. As underground storage tanks (USTs) are key components in the distribution and storage of these fuels, it’s crucial to understand how they interact. Below is a summary of… Read More »
Lutz Companies Announces No-Cost Initial Site Surveys for First Service Residential Customers
Understanding the lifecycle of your property’s fuel storage system is critical in preventing costly and environmentally damaging incidents. For properties with underground storage tanks (USTs) or aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), recognizing the age and potential vulnerability of these systems is vital. In particular, if your building was constructed 30 years ago or longer, and… Read More »
Understanding the New Interim Remediation Rules for GenX Chemicals
Understanding the New Interim Remediation Rules for GenX Chemicals The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has been actively revising its remediation rules for environmental contaminants over the past year, particularly in response to the rising concerns surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” These substances, which are known… Read More »
What Should I Do if I Discover a UST Leak on My Property?
It’s a nightmare scenario: You’ve purchased a nice, beautiful plot of land. You’ve demolished the old property, long since used. You begin the process of constructing a lucrative commercial building (or even a family home), only to discover signs of environmental contamination. You bring in an inspector and, lo and behold, you’ve discovered a… Read More »
Can You Be Liable Under the Spill Act if You Weren’t the Discharger?
New Jersey’s Spill Compensation and Control Act (Spill Act) imposes liability on companies that discharge hazardous chemicals into the environment. It’s generally understood that, to be liable under the Spill Act, your company must have been responsible for the discharge, i.e., you owned the land where the underground storage tank (UST) was located and… Read More »
Appellate Court Rules Site Owner Not Entitled to Judicial Review Before Direct NJDEP Oversight
If you discover an Underground Storage Tank (UST) leak or other environmental contamination on your property, the best thing to do is to handle the cleanup yourself, with help from the proper licensed professionals. The last thing you want to deal with is Direct Oversight by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)…. Read More »
NJDEP Issues Guidance for Purchasers of Contaminated Sites
Remediation of an underground storage tank (UST) leak or other environmental contamination can take time. Property owners may have already planned to sell by the time they discover the spill, or they may institute a sale in the meantime even though the site remains under administrative oversight by regulators. Prospective buyers do not want… Read More »
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Investigates Large Fuel Spill
A recent fuel tank leak in the northwestern Florida panhandle has earned the unenviable attention of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP is investigating the cause and circumstances of a major gasoline spill in the city of Navarre. The spill arose from an underground storage tank (UST) kept near a local marina…. Read More »