A/B Now Online in AZ, AL, AK! Plus New Member-Only Discounts. Plus great resources: What To Test – And When? E10 / B20 Component Compatibility Library and more from PEI
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What's wrong with this picture?


What piece of equipment is not in its proper place?


 

We trained all day…then this happened.

Fires at gas stations are rare, when you consider the large number of UST sites and the number of people who fill up every day. Proper signage, on-site safety equipment, alert UST operators and a smarter public all help to keep disaster away from most fueling operations.

So it came as a shock last week that, not 30 minutes after Ben Thomas of UST Training left a daylong Class A/B UST operator course, he got the call that disaster struck. One of the Class A/B students drove from class back to his site, parked the truck at the island and had just walked inside, when someone ran in and said his rig was on fire.

Fortunately no one was injured and the dispensers weren’t damaged.

Our Class C courses include a section on responding to fires. If you’ve taken our Class C training, log in and review again. It’s free for our existing customers. If you’d like to take our Class C training, click here.

Read More →

We Still Have a Ways to Go…

Okay you “What’s Wrong with This Picture” guessers: Here’s the jackpot post, so put on your detective hats and see if you can guess what’s wrong. Unfortunately, all these pictures are recent, so, try as we might, there’s still work to do out there. Please keep these pictures coming our way.

Read More →

 

Video shows fire after Ashland, KY gas station explosion


Here’s a recent story about a gas station explosion where amazingly, no one was hurt. If you watch the raw video footage here you’ll notice the strangely casual nature of pedestrians, nearby traffic and even the person filming the shooting flames. Was the response here correct?

Read More →
🎉 Class A/B training is now online
in Arizona, Alabama, and Alaska!

Our Arizona Class A/B UST Operator Training Course Now Online

Attention Arizona UST Operators: our Arizona Class A/B UST Operator Training course is now available online and meets the requirements of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZ DEQ). Check it out!

Previously our course was based on Federal UST rules but we now offer a standalone, Arizona-specific course that contains all the new UST rules. Arizona now requires a refresher every 3 years for Class A/B operators.

There are only a few training options in Arizona and we are proud to offer ours that is 100% online. No travel time involved!

Want a training solution that is 100% online and can be done from any computer with high-speed Internet?

See why UST Operators love our online training and what sets ours apart from other solutions.

Our Alabama Class A/B UST Operator Training is Now Approved and Online

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has approved our online Alabama Class A/B UST Operator Training course. Check it out!

UST Training was the nation’s first approved Class A/B UST operator trainer (2003) and we are excited to finally offer Alabama operators our inspirational and nationally recognized training material.

Previously our course was approved by reciprocity by the State of West Virginia but we now offer a standalone, Alabama-specific course that contains all the new UST rules.

See why UST Operators love our online training and what sets us apart from other live or online solutions.

Save 15% off each license when you purchase your Class A/B course before June 1, 2019. Use the coupon code SWEETHOME
Purchase now

Need Class C? Our Alabama Class C online course is also approved in Alabama.

Got questions? Call us at 866-301-8265 or email us today.

Our Alaska Class A/B UST Operator Training Course Now Approved and Online

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has approved our online Alaska Class A/B UST Operator Training course. Check it out!

Previously our course was approved by reciprocity based on Washington UST rules but we now offer a standalone, Alaska-specific course that contains all the new UST rules.

Want a training solution that is 100% online and can be done from any computer with high-speed Internet?

See why UST Operators love our online training and what sets us apart from other solutions.

For a limited time, use the coupon code LASTFRONTIERUST when you check out and get a 15% discount off any Alaska Class A/B or C license. Offer good until June 1, 2019.

New Revised Washington Class A/B Course: Important Deadlines

Hello Washington Class A/B UST Operators:
 
UST Training wanted to let you know our Class A/B UST Operator Training course was revised and re-approved by the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE). The course had to be updated to include new DOE rules for things like spill bucket and sump testing.

How can you learn about the new rules? Two choices:

1. Download the DOE handout at  the DOE web page.
2. Login to your account at USTTraining.com and re-watch the lessons. There’s no cost to review.
🏢 Welcome our newest resellers!
Northwest Tank, NECSEMA, and FPMA
Discounts available for members, details below:

Northwest Tank Now An Authorized Reseller of Our Class A/B and C Courses

Our good friends at Northwest Tank are now an authorized reseller of our online training for Class A/B and C UST operators. Washington-based Northwest Tank has been testing UST systems in the Pacific Northwest and has helped UST Training provide operator and inspector training over the years. Check them out!

Want to learn how you can make money selling our online courses to your members or customers? Sign up today!

NECSCMA Now An Authorized Reseller of Class C Training

The New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketer Association (NECSCMA) is now an authorized reseller of our online Class C UST operator training for UST operators in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Check it out!

NECSCMA members are being offered a 15% discount on all purchases between now and July 1. Contact us with your Member ID for the coupon code.


Florida Petroleum Marketers Association Now Authorized Reseller of Class A/B and C

The Florida Petroleum Marketers Association (FPMA) is now an authorized reseller of our online Class A/B and C UST operator training for UST operators in Florida. Check it out!

FPMA members are being offered a 15% discount on all purchases between now and August 1. Contact us with your Member ID for the coupon code.

UST Training has been training UST operators nationwide starting in 2003 and we’ve been offering Florida operators our courses since 2012.

“The mission of the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, Inc. is to protect the industry and advocate on its behalf. We strive to promote a growth oriented business community in the state of Florida and work to ensure that everyone of our members reaps the benefits of a fairly regulated and business friendly environment.” Learn more here.

Want to learn how you can make money selling our online courses to your members or customers? Sign up today!

CWPMA Members get a 25% Discount on all Class A/B and C Training

Are you a member of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association (CWPMA)? If so, you can get a 25% discount off all Colorado Class A/B and C UST operator training purchases from us. Contact us for your discount coupon code.

Also if you have a petroleum marketer, trade association, or large company that needs bulk Class A/B and C licenses in any state, contact us about creating your own discount code.

Need Help Knowing What to Test and When?

Are you confused about what to do and when regarding testing the equipment on your UST system? You’re probably not alone. Use this handy table to figure out which device needs testing and when. This table combines both the “older” UST rules plus some new ones your state UST agency probably recently adopted.

Read More →

PEI’s RP 1200 Open for 30 Day Comment Period

PEI today opened a 30-day comment period on draft revisions to RP1200: Recommended Practices for the Testing and Verification of Spill, Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities. The proposed revisions add low liquid level containment sump testing procedures to Chapter 6: Spill Bucket and Containment Sump Testing.

For Class A/B UST operators, it’s important to know that this standard was created to help UST owners have industry standards for testing the proper operation of leak detection and overfill devices, as well as the tightness of sumps and spill buckets. Nationwide these tests are either in effect now or will be shortly.

Read More →

30 Years of Federal UST Regulations – Read the Latest Edition of LUSTLine

The latest edition of LUSTLine is now available online and is full of great articles. Read about how the UST program improved environmental protection for millions of Americans and see quotes by our long time friends Ed Kubinsky of Crompco, Brad Hoffman of Tanknology, Rich Spiese of State of Vermont, Ron Fulenchek of 7-Eleven, Kevin Henderson formally of Mississippi DEQ, Bob Renkes formally of PEI, and even Ben Thomas of UST Training.

Read More →

PEI’s UST Component Compatibility Library

If you are a UST operator at a facility that dispenses greater than E10 ethanol gasoline or greater than B20 biodiesel, you are required by State and Federal law to provide proof that all UST parts are verified to be compatible with such fuels. And as any seasoned operator who took our Class A/B training knows, there are lots and lots of parts that make up a whole UST system. Compatibility verification can include:

  • Tank
  • Piping
  • Containment sumps
  • Pumping equipment
  • Release detection equipment
  • Spill prevention equipment
  • Overfill prevention equipment

How do you prove compatibility for each part? One solution: the Petroleum Equipment Institute publishes a free listing of compatible parts, searchable by parts manufacturer. Check it out.

Locate your parts, download the verification notices and create your own verification library. You don’t have to be a PEI member to enjoy the services PEI offers the UST industry as a whole.

Operator Training at Scale


You could save thousands each year on training costs by leasing our Class C UST course.

  • Have a large number of class C UST operators?
  • Frustrated with high turnover rates?
  • Have your own in-house company training program?

Did you know we lease our course software?  For some UST owners, leasing our Class C UST operator training courseware is a very smart alternative that can save you time, money and effort.

Read More →

12 Things You Might Not Know About Us

How well do you know your training company? Did you know these twelve things? Read on!

1. The training you took is always available. Once you have an online account with us, it’s available forever. So when you buy, say, a Class A/B online course, you can come back to review your course as often as you like. And there’s no cost to review or reprint a certificate or handout.

2. We offer free regulatory support. Call or email us anytime or send us a picture of something you don’t understand. We love to troubleshoot. If your question can be answered in less than 5 minutes (98% of the time), it’s free on us.

3. We have an awesome and free resource library. Ours is the only UST training web page with a vast UST reference library that includes free forms, handouts, publications, maps and videos. We love to give our customers free stuff if it helps you do your job better.

4. We have free inspection forms. With monthly walkthrough inspections required nationwide, and with many states creating their own forms, we want to help you get organized. We’ve created a list of each state’s form, free for downloading.

5. We are proud members of Petroleum Equipment Institute. When you take training from us, you indirectly get the expertise of the entire petroleum equipment industry. Plus Ben Thomas, President, is a committee member of PEI RP 900, the group that wrote and updated the industry standard for UST inspections.

6. Our Tank Savvy Minute video series has over 300,000 views. Encourage your staff to check out our popular video series.

7. We always call you back. We try whenever possible to return calls and emails within the hour and nearly always within 24 hours.

8. We treat each customer as unique. Our customers come from all walks of life and have every type of UST system imaginable. We know everyone has a different situation and we strive to give each operator a personalized experience, whether you buy from us or not.

9. Our goal is to make you a better operator. Anyone can make a training course to meet certain regulatory standards but our goal is to go beyond compliance and always look for ways to make you a better operator. In all our courses we offer you hints, tips and practical advise at no extra cost.

10. We are pioneers in UST training. Hence the name. We were the first in the nation to train Class A/B operators with state approved content on June 25, 2003, in Portland Oregon. Since then we’ve been the first to train in Montana, Kansas, Colorado, US Virgin Islands, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Puerto Rico (in Spanish), Guam and CNMI.

11. We’ve certified over a half million Class C operators.

12. We love what we do. Folks often tell us they’re surprised at our level of enthusiasm when they call. From Jim Collin’s best selling business book, Good to Great, we aspire to two critical ingredients of a great company: to be the absolute best in the industry and to be unapologetically passionate about we do. Enough said.


Be Like Bonnie: What a Great UST Operator Looks Like

Bonnie is the store manager at a mini-mart gas station in a small town in rural Washington. She took our Class A/B UST operator training course about four years ago and I remember her well because after she got certified she promptly called our office with a bunch of questions. We spoke at length and I helped answer what I thought were a number of very thoughtful and tactical questions. She’s called a few times since then and we’ve talked though a number of her concerns. But I haven’t heard from her in a while.

A few days ago I happened to be driving by Bonnie’s store while headed to another class and thought I’d drop in to say hi and see how things were going. We’d never met in person. As I parked I noticed it’s an older site with single-walled tanks and a tank pad that indicates it’s had a few generations of work done to it.

I didn’t have a way to alert her I was stopping by so I just walked in the door and asked for Bonnie, not sure if she even still worked there. “Hey Bonnie; it’s that Ben Thomas guy” shouted a co-worker into the back room. Bonnie emerges; she’s a bit guarded, and mostly all business, but seems glad I’d just shown up. We chat and I ask if I can see how things are going. As she shows me around the site, what immediately strikes me about Bonnie is how committed she is to UST compliance. Tank gauge fully functioning. Check. No alarms. Check. Daily ATG slips in perfect chronological order. Check. Voltage rectifier has power and readings are recorded every month. Check. Spill response sign in window. Check. Large 3-ring compliance binder at her desk. Check.

What also strikes me about Bonnie is her concern that she isn’t “doing it right.” Which is funny because it took me about two minutes to see that Bonnie is actually a rock star operator. I explained a few new rules that were due in 2020 that she was not aware of (“I wish they’d explain this stuff better”, she told me) but overall Bonnie is totally on it.

I told her I wanted to start a campaign called “Be like Bonnie” and she waved her hand dismissively as if it I was crazy. But it’s true. Bonnie is organized, smart, inquisitive and wants to stay on top of UST compliance. And the best part: Bonnie doesn’t know what a great operator she is.

Be like Bonnie.

Upcoming Classes & Events

 

June 2019

NEIWPCC ATG Webinar for UST Inspectors
Date and Time Coming Soon

Georgia Oilmen’s Association 69th Annual  Convention
Omni Amelia
Amelia Island, Florida
June 6-9, 2019

Alaska Class A/B and C UST Operator Training
Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska
June 24-28, 2019
Private Class. Interested in your own? Contact us for details
 

July 2019

2019 Sunshine Expo
Palm Beach County Convention Center
West Palm Beach, Florida
July 24-25, 2019
 

August 2019

2019 Tribal Lands & Environment Forum
Palm Springs Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center
Palm Springs, California
August 19-22, 2019
Stop by our booth and say hi
We’ll also be helping lead a UST mock inspection August 20
More info
 

September 2019

Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association (CWPMA)
Beaver Run Resort
Breckenridge, Colorado
September 6-7, 2019
Stop by booth #27 and say howdy!
 

October 2019

PEI Show at NACS
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia
October 1-4, 2019
Stop by Booth 5333 and say hi!

Copyright © 2019 UST Training, All rights reserved.


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