What is SPCC and when is a plan required?

• A. Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure; required for facilities with oil storage above thresholds or certain volumes to prevent spills
• B. Spill Prevention, Cleanup, and Compliance; needed for all labs
• C. Spill Prevention, Containment, and Control; required only for large facilities
• D. Spillage Prevention, Containment, and Coordination; required for municipal facilities

Answer: (A)

SPCC stands for Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure. It’s an EPA requirement that facilities which store oil above certain amounts must prepare and implement a plan to keep oil from discharging into navigable waters. The plan outlines how oil is stored and contained, how spills are prevented (including secondary containment and regular inspections), and how spills would be detected and responded to if they occur, along with training for people who handle the oil. This requirement applies to facilities with oil storage volumes above regulatory thresholds or with a reasonable potential for discharges to navigable waters, not to every site or lab. The other phrasing options misstate the acronym or the purpose of SPCC.