USEPA SPCC Guidance

The SPCC rule applies to facilities with the potential to discharge “oil” in quantities that may be harmful to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. The SPCC rule’s definition of oil originated from the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 311(a)(1) of the CWA defines oil as, “oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil.” Petroleum oils include crude and refined petroleum products, asphalt, gasoline, fuel oils, mineral oils, naphtha, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil (67 FR 47075).

The below text is an excerpt from the SPCC rule:

§112.2
Oil means oil of any kind or in any form, included, but not limited to: fats, oils, or greases of animal, fish, or marine mammal origin; vegetable oils, including oils from seeds, nuts, fruits, or kernels; and, other oils and greases, including petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, synthetic oils, mineral oils, oil refuse, or oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil.

Refer to 40 CFR part 112 for the full text of the rule.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) compiled a list of substances it considers oil (see below), based on the CWA definition. The list is available on the USCG website. Note, however, that the USCG list is not comprehensive and does not define “oil” for purposes of 40 CFR part 112. EPA may determine that a substance, chemical, material, or mixture is an oil even if it is not on the USCG list. For more information see EPA’s Guidance.