COMDTINST 5090.9A — Petroleum, Oil, And Lubrictant (pol) Storage System Management

COMDTINST 5090.9A governs Coast Guard policy and responsibilities for acquiring, maintaining, operating, and disposing of POL storage systems.

Search COMDTINST 5090.9A

  • Publication number: COMDTINST 5090.9A
  • Title: PETROLEUM, OIL, AND LUBRICTANT (POL) STORAGE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
  • Date: 10/28/2020
  • Proponent: CG-47

View COMDTINST 5090.9A on armypubs.army.mil


It covers underground and aboveground storage tanks, mobile fuel storage containers over 55 gallons, and associated equipment. It requires regulatory compliance, environmental management, trained personnel, and emergency response planning.

Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements must comply with the provisions of this Instruction.

Topics covered

  • POL storage systems
  • Underground storage tanks
  • Aboveground storage tanks
  • Mobile fuel storage containers
  • Secondary containment
  • Discharge prevention
  • Emergency response plans

Questions and answers

What state and local storage tank rules must the Coast Guard follow?

Under subsequent amendments, state and local governments are authorized to establish regulatory programs and standards for storage tanks that are more stringent than federal regulations; therefore, the Coast Guard is also required to comply with those state and local regulations as well. (paragraph 4)

When does the Clean Water Act apply to discharges?

The CWA applies to emergency discharges, as well as discharges during normal operations. (paragraph 101-380)

When must a facility prepare a response plan for an oil discharge?

Facilities that could cause substantial harm to the environment from a discharge must prepare facility response plans, which identify personnel and equipment available to respond to a worst case discharge of oil. (paragraph 101-380)

How are USTs and ASTs with capacity of 5,000 gallons or more classified?

All USTs and ASTs 5,000 gallons or greater in capacity are considered real property and are assigned a Real Property Unique Identification (RPUID) number for tracking as a unique real property asset in the Coast Guard Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) of record (e.g., Shore Asset Management (SAM)) real property database. (paragraph 101-380)

What must POL storage systems be operated and maintained as part of?

All POL storage systems must be operated and maintained as an integral component of an EMS or CMP in order to minimize environmental risk.

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