SPCC Plans in North Carolina: Who Needs One and Why?

SPCC Plans for North Carolina Businesses: Explained

When it comes to environmental compliance, Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans are a critical requirement for many businesses in North Carolina. But let’s be honest—nobody likes dealing with regulatory paperwork, and SPCC plans can feel like just another hoop to jump through.

You might even assume your facility doesn’t need one, but the reality is that many businesses qualify without realizing it. Ignoring SPCC requirements can lead to fines, environmental damage, and major headaches down the road. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. RMA specializes in helping businesses determine if they need an SPCC plan and, if so, making the process as painless as possible. If you need a hand with SPCC plans, reach out to us - we'll get you taken care of.

Now, let's break down what an SPCC plan is, and why it matters for North Carolina businesses.

What Is an SPCC Plan?

We have a whole article about what SPCC plans are, but for now, here's the short version:

The purpose of an SPCC plan is to outline how your facility prevents oil spills and what steps you take to contain and clean up spills if they happen.

First off, an SPCC plan is not a permit or an approval—it’s a plan, plain and simple. You don’t submit it anywhere or wait for regulatory approval. Instead, it’s a federally required document that you must have on-site and available for inspection if your facility meets the criteria. Most businesses keep their SPCC plan in a physical book or binder so it’s easily accessible if regulators show up or if a spill occurs.

 It includes details like:

• Where your oil is stored (including detailed maps)

• How much oil you have on-site

• The measures in place to prevent spills

• Your response plan in case of a spill

In short, an SPCC plan is your game plan for preventing and managing oil spills—it’s not just another form to file away and forget about. If you're still unsure on what SPCC plans and want some clarification, reach out to us.

Who Needs an SPCC Plan in North Carolina?

Your facility is required to have an SPCC plan if it meets the following criteria:

1. You store 1,320 gallons or more of oil in aboveground storage or have underground storage exceeding 42,000 gallons. This is based on your total storage capacity, not how much oil you actually have on hand. So, if you have a 2,000-gallon tank that’s never filled past 1,000 gallons, you still need an SPCC plan because the capacity is over the threshold.

2. There’s a reasonable expectation of oil discharge into navigable waters or shorelines. This one trips people up. Many assume that if they’re not next to a river or lake, they’re in the clear—but that’s not how the EPA sees it. Storm drains count. And storm drains are everywhere, leading straight to waterways. If oil could reach a storm drain, it could reach a water body, which means your facility meets this requirement.

3. You use or transfer oil, which poses a spill risk. Some think this is subjective, but it’s not. If you have oil, you pose a risk of spilling it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t actively move it around—just having it on-site means there’s a chance of a spill. So, really, the only thing that determines whether you need an SPCC plan is whether your total storage exceeds the threshold, because the other two conditions apply to just about everyone.

NC Businesses Commonly Needing SPCC Plans

Common businesses in North Carolina that typically need an SPCC plan include:

• Industrial facilities with large quantities of fuels, lubricants, or hydraulic oil

• Large commercial buildings like hospitals, universities, offices, and shopping malls with backup generators using diesel fuel

• Fuel distribution centers and marinas storing and dispensing gasoline and diesel

• Trucking and logistics hubs that store fuel and maintenance oil

• Rail yards and transportation depots with fueling stations

• Municipalities and public works departments operating fleet garages or emergency fuel storage

• Manufacturing plants that use hydraulic systems, cooling oil, or stored fuel

• Power generation facilities using backup fuel sources

• Food processing plants where vegetable or animal oils are stored in large volume

This is not an all-inclusive list! There are lots of other types of businesses in North Carolina that need SPCC plans. If you're trying to figure out if you're one of them, reach out to us for a quick answer on whether or not you need an SPCC plan!

How to Get an SPCC Plan in North Carolina

Developing an SPCC plan isn’t as simple as just writing up a few procedures. You’ll need to assess your facility’s oil storage and spill risks, create maps, run containment calculations, and document spill pathways. It’s a detailed process, and the complexity depends on your facility.

There are three different types of SPCC plans, and knowing which one you need is the first step in deciding how you'll get your plan.

For some very small, basic facilities, you might be able to develop a Tier I SPCC Plan yourself by following the EPA’s template. This only applies to facilities with less than 10,000 gallons of total oil storage, and no single tank greater than 5,000 gallons. And even then, you need to ensure you’re covering all regulatory requirements correctly.

However, most facilities hire an expert like RMA to develop their SPCC plan. Why? Because even Tier I plans require detailed facility diagrams, secondary containment calculations, a thorough spill prevention assessment, and much more.

If your facility qualifies for a Tier II SPCC Plan, you'll almost certainly need an expert to prepare your plan. Hiring an expert to develop your plan will cost a little extra, but the savings in your time and peace of mind make up for it!

If you store more than 10,000 gallons of oil, you need a PE-certified SPCC Plan, and you must go through an expert. A Professional Engineer (PE) must certify these plans, and they will expect accurate spill pathway assessments, drainage patterns, containment capacity calculations, and more.

At RMA, we specialize in SPCC plan development for businesses in North Carolina. Whether you need a new plan, an update to an existing one, or compliance guidance, we can help ensure your facility meets federal and state requirements - let's get started!

Need an SPCC Plan in NC? Let’s Talk!

Navigating environmental regulations can be overwhelming, and SPCC plans are no exception. Whether you’re trying to determine if your facility even needs one, or you’re updating an outdated plan to meet current standards, it’s easy to feel lost in the details. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Having the right plan in place can mean the difference between smooth operations and costly regulatory penalties—or worse, an environmental disaster.

At RMA, we don’t just hand you a template and wish you luck. We work with you to develop a fully compliant SPCC plan tailored to your facility’s specific operations, risks, and needs. From detailed site diagrams and secondary containment calculations to spill response planning and staff training, we ensure your plan is thorough and practical.

Whether you need a brand-new plan, a revision of an existing one, or expert guidance to make sure you’re fully covered, we’re here to help. Let’s take the guesswork out of compliance and make sure your business is protected.

Contact RMA today to get started with your SPCC plan in North Carolina today!