What is required for closure if free product is present?

When free product is present in a heating oil tank, excavation is necessary for closure to address environmental concerns and ensure compliance with regulations. Free product typically refers to liquid fuel or oil lying above the groundwater in a tank or beneath the surface due to a leak. This poses risks to the surrounding environment and can contaminate soil and groundwater.

Excavation involves physically removing the contaminated material from the site, which is crucial to mitigate risks and prevent further escapement of contaminants into the environment. This process ensures that the site is returned to a safe state, reducing potential liability and protecting public health and ecological systems.

Other methods such as monitoring, removal without excavation, or sealing may not adequately address the hazard presented by free product and could leave contamination unaddressed, which is why excavation is the required approach in this scenario.