TanknologyBlog

Is testing the functionality of an automatic tank gauge really important?

2012-01-17T14:55:00.001-06:00

The Federal EPA, along with many States have adopted, or are in the process of implementing rules requiring operators to conduct periodic functionality testing of their ATG systems. There has been some confusion on what is required, and how a functionality test should be performed.

Operators have made a significant investment in either installing or purchasing a site equipped with a tank gauge system, including sophisticated electronic line leak detectors in many cases. That investment is intended to provide you with important protection against potentially catastrophic environmental problems. An improperly maintained ATG system can fail to alert you to a tank taking on water, or losing product into the ground – both very costly. Are you positive that your system is working properly and providing you the protection you are counting on?

There is a common misconception that pushing the red button and seeing “All Functions Normal” or a similar message is sufficient for a functionality test. This can lead to a false sense of security, as your system may in fact not be working properly.

When choosing a vendor to perform your ATG functionality test or certification, you should make sure that their staff is trained and certified to work on your system, and that they will physically inspect each component, including tank gauge probes, sump and interstitial sensors, and the console itself. Anyone who simply pushes the red button and tells you that everything is OK isn’t helping you protect yourself.

An ATG functionality test is an inexpensive way to protect your investment, reduce risks associated with a leak that isn’t caught or a costly regulatory violation due to non-compliance. In most cases this test can be performed with little or no interruption to normal fueling activity.

Tanknology names Brad Walls to new sales role

2012-01-17T14:44:00.006-06:00

Brad Walls has been named as the company’s Director of Sales; Central Division.

Brad brings to his new role more than 20 years of senior-level sales, management and operational experience, including industries ranging from environmental equipment, to communications to finance. Walls most recently served as Tanknology’s Director of Sales; Non-Retail Fuels. Prior to joining Tanknology, Brad was the Regional Sales Manager for Great Plains Industries, Inc. (GPI) of Wichita.

Brad's new territory will span from Ohio, west to Kansas, and from North Dakota and Minnesota, south to Missouri and Kentucky. Walls will be based out of our offices in Owatonna, MN., Elgin, IL., and Columbus, OH. He can reached at (800) 476-4929, or via email at bwalls@tanknology.com.

EPA releases proposed changes to UST regs

2011-11-01T15:52:00.000-05:00

The Federal EPA has released a long-awaited draft of its proposed changes to nation's UST regulations. It proposes a number of revisions to the technical requirements stipulated in 40 CFR 280, as well as a number of new regulations and changes to the types of sites that are currently deferred from regulation.

Robert Renkes of PEI provided an excellent summary in yesterday's Tulsa Letter. You can read a copy of that here on the PEI website.

Additionally, a copy of the proposed rule and documents summarizing and comparing the existing to proposed regulations can also be found here on the website of the EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST).

The EPA expects the proposed revisions to be printed in the Federal Register this week, which will be followed by 90 days for public comment.

And the iPad winner is. . .

2011-10-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

Susan Burkhardt, from Neumayer Equipment Co of St. Louis, is the winner of our iPad 2 Promotion at the 2011 NACS/PEI show in Chicago.

Congratulations, Susan!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit us at this year's show.

Register to Win an iPad 2!

2011-10-02T14:40:00.003-05:00

See us at the NACS/PEI Show in Chicago -- and Register to Win! Booth # 7363

Cord Lomauro to lead Southeast Sales

2011-09-08T09:52:00.001-05:00

TANKNOLOGY MEDIA RELEASE. . . Austin, TX – Tanknology Inc., the world’s largest Underground Storage Tank (UST) environmental compliance services company, today announced that Cord Lomauro has joined Tanknology as Sales Manager for the company’s Southeast Region.

Based in Tanknology’s Atlanta-area office, Lomauro will oversee customer relationships in the southeastern US, from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Louisiana. Lomauro brings more than 20 years of experience in the petroleum storage tank market, in roles encompassing petroleum equipment sales, storage system testing, site assessments, remediation and site compliance.

Most recently, Lomauro was an environmental consultant specializing in the UST arena. He was previously an operations manager for Preferred Testing and Compliance of Austell, GA, as well as a regional sales manager for ANS Distributing, a petroleum equipment distributor covering many parts of the US.

Richard Schnabel, Tanknology’s Executive Vice President of Sales, said Lomauro’s extensive industry background makes him a strong addition to Tanknology’s field sales team.

“Cord has worked in this industry in so many roles, he has a thorough understanding of many areas of petroleum system compliance,” Schnabel said. “He will bring so much expertise to his clients. We are very fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

Based in Suwanee, Georgia, Lomauro can be reached at (800) 964-0070, or via email at clomauro@tanknology.com.

Welcome to ComplianceTalk!

2011-09-06T11:09:00.002-05:00

By Allen Porter, President...

I’d like to welcome you to our new Tanknology blog – ComplianceTalk. We will be addressing topics of interest to our industry community, such as current events, breaking industry news, regulatory developments, company news – anything we believe may be of interest to members of our tank compliance community.

We hope you will join us in the conversation. You can post a comment or question to the blog – or you can add a comment to our Facebook page. If you follow us on Twitter, you will be notified every time a new post appears. Our primary aim with these initiatives in social media is to be in closer contact with our customers and the industry as a whole. We hope you will find value in what we share and participate with us in the discussions.

Visit our new website

We are also today launching a revamped website. You can use the links at the top of this blog page, which will take you directly to the area of the site of most interest to you. Have a look – and let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you with any of your tank compliance needs.