Which federal regulation governs the operation of USTs?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the federal regulation that specifically governs the management of hazardous waste, including underground storage tanks (USTs). This act establishes a framework for the proper disposal, treatment, and containment of hazardous waste to protect human health and the environment. USTs often contain petroleum products which have the potential to contaminate soil and groundwater if not managed properly. RCRA provides guidelines and standards that UST operators must follow to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of these tanks.

The other options pertain to different environmental concerns: the Clean Air Act focuses on air quality and pollution control, the Safe Drinking Water Act addresses the protection of drinking water sources, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act encompasses the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. While each of these laws plays an important role in environmental protection, they do not directly regulate the operation of USTs in the way that RCRA does.