The Oil Control Program (OCP) within the Land and Materials Administration of the Maryland Department of the Environment regulates oil-related activities in the State, such as aboveground and underground oil storage facilities, oil-contaminated soil treatment facilities, and oil transportation. Through a combination of OCP staff and certified individuals, the OCP oversees the installation, maintenance, operation, and removal of oil storage tanks. The Program maintains a strong field presence to accomplish these tasks. OCP inspectors investigate complaints of illegal dumping and the improper handling of oil as well as non-compliance with state and federal regulations.
Underground Storage Tanks
The OCP has highly trained staff to help companies and individuals ensure that their underground storage tanks (USTs) are in compliance with State and federal regulations. All regulated USTs within Maryland are required to be registered through the UST Notification Program. All USTs storing motor fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel) must meet specific technical standards (corrosion protection, spill/overfill prevention, leak detection, and financial responsibility) or be removed from the ground. For additional information, please visit our
Underground Storage Tanks page. For additional information on UST Certifications, please visit our
UST Certification Programs page.
Aboveground Storage Tanks
The OCP issues oil operations permits to facilities that store virgin oil in aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) with 10,000 gallons or more capacity or that store used oil in ASTs with 1,000 gallons or more capacity. Our staff is available to assist in reviewing plans and is available to interpret State and federal regulations regarding ASTs. For additional information on ASTs, please visit our
Aboveground Storage Tanks page.
Residential Heating Oil
The OCP does not regulate residential heating oil tanks if they are less than 1,100 gallons while they are in normal use. However, once a residential heating oil tank is no longer in use, the owner is required to have the tank and all connected pipes and fill lines removed by a Maryland certified UST remover or technician. Please visit our
Residential Heating Oil page for more information on this and the Residential Heating Oil Tank Site Cleanup Reimbursement Program.
Remediation Sites
When there is a release of oil into the environment, the OCP oversees the cleanup to assure the protection of Maryland citizens and our environment. For additional information, please visit our
Remediation Sites page. Additionally, the
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Reports page provides links to many oil remediation related activities.
Oil Transportation
In an effort to ensure the safe transportation of oil within Maryland, the OCP issues specific permits to transportation and transfer companies. The OCP also oversees the Oil Transfer Licensing and associated fee collections to help fund Maryland's oil pollution programs. Please visit the
Oil Transportation Licenses and Permits page for more information.
UST Loan Program
A program managed through the Water Quality Financing Administration (WQFA), known as Linked Deposit may provide owners of underground oil storage tanks a way to replace those tanks. Click
here for more information or contact Michael Roberts at (410) 925-4793 or by email at michael.roberts@maryland.gov.
Upcoming Oil Control Program Public Meetings and Hearings
None at this time.
For Further Information
Oil Control Program
(410) 537-3442; (800) 633-6101 x3442
Residential Heating Oil Tank Site Cleanup Reimbursement Program
(410) 537-3676; (800) 633-6101 x3676
To Report Oil Spills Call (Available 24 hours a day)
1-866-633-4686
