EPA regional officials work closely with state officials while state programs are under development. Once state legislatures enact statutes and state agencies develop regulations in accord with EPA requirements and put other necessary components of a program in place, states may apply for formal approval. EPA must respond to applications within 180 days. It contains provisions for adequate enforcement. It regulates at least the same USTs as are regulated under federal standards.
States take pride in obtaining federal approval of their programs.
Once their programs are approved, states have the lead role in UST program enforcement. In states without an approved program, EPA will work with state officials in coordinating UST enforcement actions. Every state but Idaho has a comprehensive set of UST leak prevention and detection regulations and a program to implement those regulations, and all states have cleanup programs. While both federal and state regulations apply in states without SPA, the state regulations are generally just as stringent as, and oftentimes significantly more stringent than, EPA's regulations. The program office is usually located in the state environmental department.