NOTICE OF INFORMAL COMMENT PERIOD
ON REGULATIONS FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS (18 AAC 78)
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: In response to Administrative Order 360, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is opening an informal comment period to gather public input on Alaska’s regulations for underground storage tanks in 18 Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) 78.
These regulations set statewide rules for the installation, operation, closure, and cleanup of underground storage tanks to protect human health and the environment.
POSTING: The full set of regulations found in 18 AAC 78 is available online at https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp#18.78. A PDF version of these regulations is also available on the DEC website at https://dec.alaska.gov/media/1058/18-aac-78.pdf.
COMMENTS: DEC is requesting comments on Alaska’s regulations for underground storage tanks (18 AAC 78). We want to know which regulations could be improved or clarified, and what changes might make them easier to understand and follow. This is not a formal rulemaking process—your input will help shape future decisions about how Alaska’s underground storage tank rules are refined:
- clarify existing regulatory obligations;
- reduce costs for the public, industry, or government;
- improve or streamline procedures, application requirements, and review processes, for example reducing the time required to apply for a license, permit, or benefit;
- reduce administrative burdens;
- streamline permitting procedures;
- improve communication procedures;
- provide greater transparency with respect to standards, decision-making, and rationales for application processing; or
- clarify interagency roles.
In your comments, please try to include the particular section(s) of the regulations you are commenting on.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 360: This notice is part of Governor Dunleavy’s Administrative Order 360, which directs agencies to review regulations and identify ways to make them more transparent, more efficient, and less burdensome while continuing to protect Alaskans.
DEADLINE: Comments must be received by no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 8, 2025.
TO COMMENT: You may submit written comments:
You may submit oral comments during the telephonic hearing to be held Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You may participate by phone by calling 907-202-7104 and using code 300251206#. Testimony will be taken from attendees in order of call in. Prior to the start of the hearing, DEC may limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony, as reasonably necessary, to conclude the hearing in the time provided. The hearing may be extended for a reasonable amount of time to accommodate those present before 2:00 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment prior to that time.
Please do not include any confidential information in written or oral comments.
ADA: The State of Alaska, DEC, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who needs accommodation to participate in this public process, please get in touch with Kristin Mabry at kristin.mabry@alaska.gov or 907-334-0884. Alaska Relay/TTY/TDD users may call 800-770-8973 or dial 711.
For questions or more information, contact the DEC Contaminated Sites Program Regulations Specialist, Brian Englund at brian.englund@alaska.gov.
The DEC is not currently proposing any specific regulation change for 18 AAC 78, and there are no draft regulations prepared for public comment under the Administrative Procedure Act at this time. If the DEC undertakes revisions to these regulations, there will be an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed regulation changes that are released for public review and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act.