Underground storage tanks (USTs) have long played a critical role in storing petroleum and other hazardous substances across the country. In California, efforts to clean up these antiquated storage tanks have been underway for over a decade. In a state as environmentally diverse and densely populated as this, the consequences of neglected or deteriorating USTs can be severe, and modern environmental regulation has sought to curb the potential for disaster with the removal requirement. Now the long anticipated December 31, 2025 deadline requiring their removal has passed.
The effect of the removal requirement on small businesses in places like Corona, California has been dire. For local fueling stations and fuel providers, removal means heavy investment and a pause in service to your customers. Fleets and local businesses cannot go without fuel, and risk higher fuel costs every time their local providers shutter. We are here to help both.
If you are one of the thousands of small businesses in California that have long relied on USTs to store fuel and other substances, Booster can be your partner in underground storage tank removal as you evolve to meet regulatory requirements and environmental restrictions in a timely fashion while providing bridge fueling to keep your clientele happy.
If your fleet or small business has recently lost access to affordable fueling as a result of closure over UST removal, Booster can provide affordable, timely mobile fuel delivery of gasoline, diesel and alternative fuels that keep your drivers on the road. Reach out to a member of our team so we can help with your specific needs.
Why Remove Underground Storage Tanks?
For decades, underground storage tanks have supported gas stations, industrial facilities, agricultural operations, and municipal services. But over time, the tanks themselves have worn thin, and now create risks for communities where they are prevalent. As the metal ages, corrosion, leaks, and system failure probability increases significantly.
One of the primary environmental concerns associated with aging underground storage tanks is soil and groundwater contamination. When tanks corrode or develop structural weaknesses, petroleum products and other hazardous materials can seep into surrounding soil. Over time, these contaminants migrate into groundwater aquifers, which supply drinking water to millions of Californians. In regions already facing water scarcity challenges, contamination not only threatens public health but also places additional strain on limited water resources.
California’s unique geography further amplifies the risks associated with faulty underground storage tanks. From coastal communities to agricultural valleys and urban centers, underground leaks can affect sensitive ecosystems and critical infrastructure that protects people and animals. In agricultural areas like the Central Valley, groundwater contamination can impact crop irrigation and food safety. Along the coast, leaked fuels can eventually reach wetlands and marine environments, harming wildlife and disrupting fragile habitats.
In addition to environmental risks, aging underground storage tanks pose financial and legal liabilities for property owners. Cleanup costs for contaminated soil and groundwater can reach hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars. California’s environmental regulations require responsible parties to remediate contamination, and failure to address known risks can lead to substantial fines and penalties. Proactively removing outdated tanks helps property owners avoid long-term liabilities while demonstrating a deep investment in their local community’s environmental health.
California’s Approach to UST Removal & Remediation
The California State Water Resources Control Board enforces strict standards for tank monitoring, leak detection, and removal. While upgraded tanks with modern protective features can reduce risk, older single-wall steel tanks without corrosion protection remain particularly vulnerable and are a threat to the surrounding land. Removing these tanks before incidents of failure happen is a critical step in preventing environmental damage rather than reacting to it.
The removal of USTs can be costly. There are multiple programs, both state and federal, that can help businesses finance the cost including the Underground Storage Clean Up Fund, and the RUST Grant Program. Considering the investment required, and the fines now associated with ignoring the problem, financial support programs like this are key to protecting small businesses.
To ensure compliance, California gave owners and operators a decade to remove risky tanks. As of January 1, 2026, these businesses are now subject to red flagging and potential fines of $500 – $5,000 per tank per day per violation. There are no exceptions, exemptions, or extensions of this requirement according to Health and Safety Code section 25292.05.
Where USTs Have Put You At Risk, Rely on Booster Fuel Delivery
As regulatory inspectors fine and effectively shutter local businesses that have not yet removed their underground storage tanks, the companies that rely on these fuel marketers for their own livelihood can feel like they are left with little choice but to spend more. Booster is the mobile fueling bridge solution that can help.
Booster’s wet hose fuel delivery is fully licensed and compliant with all California regulations. We deliver gas, diesel, and alternative fuels to customer fleets up and down the coast. Our off-hours and downtime fueling schedules are key factors in providing fueling security to our clients. They no longer have to drive in circles looking for the lowest price at the closest gas station as those stations become more scarce. Fuel comes directly to their lots and is delivered with our Perfect Boost commitment.
Where reliable fuel sources are harder and harder to come by because of underground storage tank removal and remediation, Booster is the partner that can help keep your cost per gallon low, and your fuel tanks full.
Booster Enables UST Removal & Remediation
In addition to our fuel delivery services, Booster has long been part of the UST removal and remediation system in California. It’s the state where Booster began, and we have always worked carefully to align our business offering to community and regulatory needs while supporting the small businesses that make our country great.
We work directly with owner operators to connect them with licensed contractors who can fulfill their removal requirements and help them clean up any necessary ground contamination. When these owner operators are prepared to again fuel their businesses, fleets, and customer needs, we are ready and able to provide on-demand mobile fuel delivery that ensures their companies can continue to flourish without relying on underground storage tanks.
Ultimately, the need for underground storage tank removal in California is about prevention, protection, and responsibility. Protecting groundwater, safeguarding ecosystems, reducing liability, and enabling safe redevelopment all depend on proactive environmental management. As infrastructure continues to age, responsible tank removal is not just a regulatory requirement—it is an essential investment in California’s environmental health and long-term sustainability.
Reach out to a member of the Booster team to learn more about our services.