As mandated by Alaska statute, the Terminals and Tank Farms (TTF) Section of the Industry Preparedness Program protects public safety, public health, the environment and State resources by ensuring the large bulk fuel terminals throughout the state are fully prepared to cleanup oil spills and are employing reasonable, prudent measures to prevent spills.

The TTF section is responsible for the evaluation, approval and regulatory compliance oversight of Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency plans (C-plans) submitted to the Department for approval under AS 46.03, AS 46.04 and 18 AAC 75 by operators of 80+ oil storage terminals totaling nearly 700 aboveground tanks throughout Alaska. Tank farms and terminals are located in Southeast Alaska, South-central Alaska, Western and Northwest Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, the Interior of Alaska and the North Slope of Alaska.

TTF implements a major statewide program including: permitting, inspections, drills, audits, investigation, and enforcement. Proper administration of this program is not only essential for the public well-being and sustainable use of environmental resources, but also to the state’s current and future economic prosperity.

Due to Alaska’s vast size, arctic climate, and remote population centers, large oil storage facilities are required to provide basic fuel needs to the rural communities. Large oil storage facilities are also located at each one of Alaska’s ports to service vessels, aircraft and basic fuel requirements to the residents of Alaska. Catastrophic oil spills or chronic spills of significant size could result in wide scale long term loss to fisheries or wildlife and could result in the potential closure of critical fuel supplies for the residents and business of Alaska.