Efficacy of Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) for Cleaning Up Fuel Releases from Leaking Federally-Regulated Underground Storage Tank Systems
Date
2011-05-25
Authors
White, Harold O. Jr
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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.
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Keywords
Environmental policy, RBCA, Risk-Based Corrective Action, Policy Analysis, Underground storage tank, Contamination / Remediation