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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Analytical sampling is a critical part of environmental compliance - and it’s one area where small mistakes can quickly become expensive problems.

With the upcoming release of the 2026 Alaska Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP), and the new requirement for benchmark sampling for multiple sectors, many facilities will be performing analytical samples for the first time starting this year. In this episode of Tank Talk, we’re breaking down what that means in real-world practice - from the field to the lab.

We’re joined by Justin Nelson of SGS USA, who walks us through the fundamentals of analytical sampling and helps demystify how laboratory data is generated, reviewed, and reported.

Together, we cover:

• The difference between qualitative vs. quantitative data
• What testing methods are - and why they matter
• How field sampling practices directly impact lab results
• Common sampling mistakes (labeling, preservatives, volumes, chain of custody, and more)
• What labs do once samples arrive and how testing standards are met
• How to read lab data reports, including common notes and flags

We also connect the dots between proper sample handling and better analytical results - fewer resamples, fewer corrective actions, and real cost savings.

If you’re responsible for collecting samples, reviewing lab reports, or staying compliant under Alaska’s water permitting programs, this episode is a must-listen.

Take your samples carefully - because the lab can handle a lot of things… but it still can’t analyze “oops.”

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If there’s one thing every bulk fuel facility has in common, it’s this: nothing stays the same for long - and your plans and permits shouldn’t either. In this episode, Shannon and Haley dig into one of the most misunderstood (and most frequently violated) compliance requirements out there: plan amendments.

Why are amendment rules so confusing? Because every regulation - SPCC, FRP, MSGP, ODPCP - plays by different rules, deadlines, timelines, and definitions. And yet inspectors expect facilities to keep everything updated accurately, on time, and without missing a beat.

Shannon breaks down:

• Why plan amendments are one of the most common compliance findings
• What actually qualifies as an amendment
• The difference between technical vs. non-technical and major vs. minor
• What triggers an update for SPCCs, FRPs, MSGP SWPPPs, and ODPCPs
• How deadlines really work (and why they often cause headaches)

If you’ve ever wondered whether a change at your facility requires an update - or if you’ve discovered you are months behind - this episode will help you make sense of it all. And if it still feels like “clear as mud,” don’t worry: Integrity maintains hundreds of plans a year, and we’re here to help.

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As the year winds down, many facilities are gearing up for winter operations, year-end reviews, and planning out 2026 maintenance and training. For our December episode, we’re bringing back one of the most practical and most downloaded episodes we’ve ever released: The Tank Toolbox.

This replay is packed with free, high-value resources every bulk fuel manager should have bookmarked. Whether you're updating inspection records, training new operators, preparing for spill response, or tightening up your compliance program, these tools can help you work smarter without spending a dime.

Inside this episode, you’ll find:

• Preventative maintenance videos
• Tank anatomy diagrams
• Spill response and ICS training links
• Operator onboarding tools
• Field-tested resources our team uses every single week

If you’re refining procedures, planning trainings, or mapping out 2026 priorities, this is the perfect episode to revisit. Grab a pen, save the links, and pass it along to your team.

We’ll be back in January with a brand-new episode to kick off the new year. Until then - enjoy The Tank Toolbox!

Tank Talk Podcast (Integrity Environmental)

• Podcast covering various fuel tank related topics, including appropriate labeling, maintenance, regulatory requirements, and inspections.
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tank-talk-alaskas-bulk-fuel-podcast/id1674667477
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zmyi6WqsGrU41xfHeCP37?si=1c278befccd344bb

Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) YouTube Channel

• Tank Farm Playlist freely provides 24 specific videos on how to perform preventative maintenance functions on bulk tanks such as changing gaskets, performing water draws, and changing filters.
• https://www.youtube.com/@alaskaenergyauthority7923/playlists

Morrison Brothers Tank Anatomy (diagrams that identify all the parts of a tank)

• https://morbros.com/downloads/products/Protected_Double_Wall_Tank_with_Remote_Fill.pdf
• https://morbros.com/downloads/products/Protected_Double_Wall_Tank_with_Tank-Mounted_Remote_Fill.pdf

Tank Strapping Charts (Liquid Level Calculation)

• https://www.acetank.com/resources/technical-document-library/
• https://greertank.com/downloads/

Steel Tank Institute Free Resources

• Keeping Water Out of Your Storage System
• https://stispfa.org/resource/keeping-water-out-of-your-storage-system/
• Tank Inspection Guidance and free Monthly/Annual forms
• https://stispfa.org/library-resources/standards-regulatory-resources/sp001-standard/

State of Alaska Star Manual (Spill Tactics)

• Detailed PDF resource for most spill response exercise tactics, such as trenching, oil recovery, exclusion booming, etc.
• Training videos on safe boom deployment a

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Permafrost is stable - until it isn’t. As Arctic industries continue to expand, the ground below our fuel tanks and pipelines is literally thawing, causing dangerous settlement and structural failure.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ed Yarmak, President of Arctic Foundations Inc., a pioneer in the development and installation of thermosyphon technology - the passive heat transfer systems used across Alaska, Canada, and beyond to keep permafrost frozen and critical infrastructure standing.

We explore:

• What permafrost really is - and why thawing causes tanks to tilt, settle, or even fail
• How thermosyphons work (10,000-ft overview - no engineering degree required)
• How project managers can know before construction whether permafrost will be a problem
• What happens when older tanks - built before thermosyphons - start to settle decades later
• How modern systems are retrofitted with directional drilling and insulation technologies
• Pipeline applications (Alyeska and beyond)
• Ed’s top resources for professionals navigating Arctic conditions

If you work in fuel storage, remote operations, or Arctic infrastructure — this episode will change the way you think about what’s under your tanks.

UAF SNAP Climate tools

Permafrost Conference Proceedings, Etc.

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Walter Chartrand, chemist and trainer with the Aviation Training Association, joins Shannon to break down one of the most critical topics in fuel handling: fuel quality.

From what “Clean, Dry, On-Specification” really means to the Shore / Store / Deliver framework, Walter shares decades of experience in aviation fuels and storage. Listeners will learn how contaminants like water, solids, and microbes get into fuel, what tests should be run at each custody transfer, and which standards every operator should know.

Walter also discusses documentation, training, and real-world lessons to help fuel managers protect product quality, avoid costly mistakes, and keep operations safe.

This episode is packed with insights for bulk fuel managers, operators, and anyone responsible for keeping fuel quality in check.

🎧 Tune in to hear practical insights you can apply in your facility today.

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