What percentage of allowable variance must inventory reconciliation detect for potential releases?

The correct choice is rooted in the regulatory standards for underground storage tank (UST) operators regarding inventory reconciliation. Inventory reconciliation is a critical method used to identify discrepancies between the amount of fuel received and the amount sold, which can indicate potential releases or leaks from the tank system.

To ensure adequate monitoring and prompt detection of possible releases, regulations specify that inventory reconciliation must detect a variance of 0.75%. This means that if the inventory levels indicate a discrepancy of more than 0.75% between the amounts recorded and what is physically present, further investigation is warranted. Identifying even small variances is important because it can help to address leaks early before they lead to more significant environmental issues.

The other percentage options do not align with the standard threshold for variance detection in inventory reconciliation, making them less suitable answers for this question. A variance lower than 0.75%, such as 0.5% or 1%, would not adequately account for potential leaks as effectively as the established standard. The selection of 1.5% is also higher than the acceptable threshold and thus would not be appropriate for identifying potential releases accurately.