What can trigger a UST compliance audit?

A compliance audit for underground storage tanks (USTs) is typically triggered by significant violations, public complaints, or routine inspection schedules set by regulatory agencies. This is because the primary goal of such audits is to ensure that UST systems are operating safely and in accordance with environmental regulations. Significant violations may indicate potential environmental hazards or compliance issues that need urgent attention. Public complaints could arise from perceived or actual risks associated with UST operations, prompting regulatory agencies to investigate. Additionally, regulatory authorities often have established schedules for routine inspections to monitor compliance levels across various facilities, which can also initiate audits.

The other options do not directly correlate with compliance auditing initiatives. Increased fuel prices do not impact the regulatory compliance status of USTs. Changes in ownership can influence regulatory obligations but do not automatically trigger an audit unless linked to compliance breaches. Similarly, the completion of tank installation is typically subject to a separate regulatory review process rather than an audit initiated on compliance grounds. Thus, option B encompasses the essential elements that would warrant a compliance audit in the context of UST regulations.