What term is synonymous with "decommissioning"?

The term "closure" is synonymous with "decommissioning" in the context of underground storage tanks (USTs). When a UST is decommissioned, it is taken out of service in a manner that is in compliance with regulations, and "closure" refers to this process of formally shutting down and securing the site. This can involve removing the tank from the ground, cleaning any residual product, and properly disposing of any materials.

Using the term "closure" conveys that the site will be managed and inspected in a way that protects public health and the environment after the tank has been shut down. It implies a planned and regulated process rather than an informal or unmonitored ending to the tank's use.

In contrast, terms like abandonment suggest a lack of responsibility or oversight, while decontamination focuses specifically on cleaning up contaminants rather than the overall process of shutting down a UST. Destruction refers to physically breaking something down rather than the procedural aspects involved in bringing a UST out of service.