Active regulated USTs: 9,966; Federally regulated tank systems registered as active, as of March 31, 2026
Closed USTs: 37,792; Regulated tank systems closed to date, as of March 31, 2026
Leaks not yet cleaned up: 570; Confirmed petroleum releases not yet cleaned up, of 6,514 confirmed to date, as of March 31, 2026
Homes heated with oil: under 0.1%; Share of occupied homes whose main heating fuel is fuel oil, kerosene or similar, 2024 estimate

Home heating oil tanks are exempt from the federal UST rules and are not in the EPA counts.

Sources: EPA, UST Performance Measures, Mid-Year FY 2026; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table B25040 (House Heating Fuel).

Common Questions About UST Contractors in Louisiana

Does Louisiana require a licensed UST contractor?

Yes. Louisiana requires contractors performing regulated underground storage tank work to hold a credential issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

Who regulates underground storage tanks in Louisiana?

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality oversees underground storage tank regulations in Louisiana. Federal requirements come from the EPA underground storage tank program.

How do I verify a UST contractor's credentials in Louisiana?

Ask the contractor for their credential number and confirm it directly with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Also ask for proof of insurance appropriate for tank work.

Are residential heating oil tanks regulated in Louisiana?

No. Louisiana's underground storage tank definition excludes a tank used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored, unless that heating oil is blended with hazardous waste. It also excludes farm or residential tanks of 1,100 gallons or less used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes. Registration reaches underground storage tanks with a capacity over 110 gallons that contain regulated substances.

Is tank closure or removal required in Louisiana?

For tanks the state program covers, closure is a regulated activity rather than an optional one, and it carries its own certification category under LAC Title 33 Part XI Chapter 13. Closure work covers tank cleaning, vapor removal, inerting, subsurface sampling, tank removal, and filling with inert material. A tank excluded from the underground storage tank definition, such as a residential heating oil tank, never enters that process.

Does Louisiana have a state fund, and does it cover residential heating oil tanks?

Louisiana runs the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund, created in 1988 to help tank owners meet federal financial responsibility requirements. It is built around registered motor fuel tanks and reimburses cleanup at eligible facilities. A residential heating oil tank is excluded from the underground storage tank definition to begin with, which is where fund eligibility starts, so confirm eligibility with the state rather than assuming a home heating oil release is covered.

Who may legally perform underground storage tank work in Louisiana?

Louisiana certifies the individual worker rather than the company, which is unusual and changes what a buyer should ask for. Certification comes in two categories, one for installation and repairs and one for closure. A certified worker must be physically present during the critical juncture and hold complete supervisory control over the work being performed, and certifications run two years. Note that the state's general construction contractor licensing board is a separate body from the environmental agency, so searching that board will not tell you whether anyone holds underground storage tank certification.

UST Services in Louisiana

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