SPCC plans are one of the most common - and most misunderstood - regulatory requirements in the bulk fuel industry. While the plan itself may seem straightforward, proving compliance is where things get complicated.

In this episode, we kick off a new SPCC Basics series by breaking down one of the biggest pain points for facility operators: recordkeeping. From routine inspections to “as-needed” documentation, understanding what needs to be recorded - and when - is critical to staying compliant.

We walk through how recordkeeping is typically structured by frequency (daily, monthly, annual), where facilities commonly miss the mark, and why simply having a checklist isn’t always enough. We also cover the often-overlooked records that don’t fall neatly into a form but are still expected during an audit.

If you’re responsible for implementing an SPCC plan, this episode will help you better understand your role, reduce uncertainty, and avoid getting caught off guard when it’s time to prove compliance.

🎧 Tune in as we break down the essentials and set the foundation for the rest of the SPCC Basics series.

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Ever feel confident you’re following the rules… only to find out the rules changed?

In this episode of Tank Talk, Shannon and Haley talk about one of the most common compliance pitfalls in environmental operations: regulations evolving quietly in the background while day-to-day operations keep moving.

Just like driving down a familiar road where the speed limit suddenly changed, facilities can unknowingly fall out of compliance when regulations are updated after a plan, permit, or audit was completed.

We’re seeing this happen more and more in air and water regulations, where updates can occur on unpredictable timelines. A report that confirmed compliance a few years ago may no longer reflect the current regulatory landscape.

So how do operators avoid getting blindsided?

Shannon shares seven practical strategies that facility managers and environmental professionals can use to stay ahead of regulatory changes.

The conversation also covers what happens when regulations change, how transition periods typically work, and what to do if you discover you’re already past a compliance deadline.

If you manage fuel facilities, environmental programs, or regulatory plans, this episode offers practical steps to help ensure your compliance program doesn’t quietly expire in the background.

We’ve included a resource list with helpful agency webpages, industry groups, and notification lists that can help you stay informed when regulations change.

Remember: compliance is a point in time — and it can change without warning.

Download the guide: 7 Ways To Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes — Integrity Environmental

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In this episode of Tank Talk, we sit down with Senior Environmental Consultant Leslie Pearson for a first-person account of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and how it reshaped spill prevention and response in Alaska and across the nation.

Leslie shares her firsthand experience working on the response in 1989, from documenting shoreline impacts in Seward to navigating the early days of incident command and emergency operations. She reflects on the gaps in preparedness that were exposed, the challenges of working in remote environments, and what it was like to learn on the fly during one of the largest environmental disasters in U.S. history.

The conversation explores how the spill led to the creation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), major revisions to SPCC and Facility Response Plan requirements, and Alaska’s decision to implement some of the strictest spill prevention regulations in the country under 18 AAC 75.

With decades of experience as both a regulator and consultant, Leslie explains why these regulations are more than paperwork - they are institutional memory designed to prevent history from repeating itself.

This episode offers valuable perspective for environmental professionals, facility operators, and anyone working in spill prevention, preparedness, and compliance.

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