Background and Requirements 

Title XV, Section B of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 amends Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the original legislation that created the underground storage tank (UST) program. The UST provisions of the Energy Policy Act focus on preventing releases and direct EPA to help states and tribes comply with new UST requirements. 

Section 1529 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 states that EPA, in coordination with tribes, must develop and implement a strategy for underground storage tank programs in Indian country.

Tribal Strategy

On August 7, 2006, EPA issued the tribal strategy. See document below.

Tribal strategy is the foundation of future tank work and collaboration between EPA and tribes; it identifies key issues and actions to:

• Strengthen the relationship between EPA and tribes;
• Improve information sharing;
• Enhance tribal capacity; and
• Further the cleanup and compliance of underground storage tanks in Indian country.