Abstract:
The primary purpose of the underground storage tank (UST) regulations is protection and
clean up of groundwater resources used by millions of Americans as the source of their
drinking water. Annual expenditures to clean up fuel releases from leaking UST systems
are in excess of $1.5 billion, a significant portion of which is derived from public funds.
Government programs have a responsibility to ensure that such funds are used effectively
and efficiently for their intended purpose. One of the UST program’s policy initiatives
designed to promote more effective and efficient cleanups is risk-based corrective action
(RBCA). RBCA differs from conventional cleanup decision making in that cleanup levels
are established on a site-by-site basis according to the relative risk associated with
contaminants at the site, the physical characteristics of the site, and the threat posed to
potential receptors. Cleanup decisions based on actual risks posed, rather than uniform
standards that are characteristic of conventional decision-making, were anticipated to
result in an increase in the number of completed cleanups and a decrease in the average
cost per cleanup. Though RBCA was first launched in 1995, the impact of RBCA has not
been systematically evaluated. This dissertation evaluates whether RBCA has been
effective in meeting expectations, and whether these expectations have been met in a
cost-efficient manner. With regard to the question of effectiveness, evidence suggests that
some states have experienced an increase in the number of cleanups completed due to
RBCA, while other states have not. With regard to the question of efficiency, there is
some evidence that the cost-savings anticipated due to RBCA implementation have not
been realized in all states. Weaknesses in the data available for this investigation point to
the need for collection and reporting of more accurate and useful information to support
better quantitative evaluations of the impact of RBCA specifically and environmental
programs and policies more generally. Prior to implementation of new policies,
meaningful and measurable indicators of performance should be identified and
appropriate steps taken to ensure that relevant data are collected so that efficacy of a new
program or policy can be accurately evaluated. The findings of this investigation are a
substantial improvement over previous reviews of UST program reported in the literature
and merit consideration by policymakers.
