A Message From NEIWPCC’s UST/LUST Program Coordinator: James Plummer

Posted on Friday, January 30th, 2026 | James Plummer

As we approach the 100^th issue of LUSTLine, I’ve started looking through past issues for ideas for recurring segments to include in future issues. I am a fan of repeating bits. Bits create a sense of continuity across issues. They are also ideally brief enough to get folks hooked, but substantive enough to provide value without sending readers on an information goose chase.

Readily consumable and fresh content keeps folks engaged in these fast times. Although there’s something special about slowing down to skim through photocopied issues from the early days. It’s really motivating to be part of and see the paper trail of a decades-long legacy (of good work, not releases).

LUSTLine has printed recurring features (which you should check out in the LUSTLine Archive) with legends in the field like “Tank-nically Speaking” with Marcel Moreau, “Tanks Down East” with David McCaskill, and “Field Notes” with Robert Renkes.

Although the pixels on your screen don’t smell like fresh printed pages and your laptop keys don’t convey the coziness of paper, the content of LUSTLine continues to echo the efforts of the tanks community. There’s a lot to be optimistic about in our arena and we need more ways to showcase all that goodness. Has your state crafted new legislation that you’re stoked about? Has your tribe cleaned up a release in record time? Has your organization developed a guidance document with even more acronyms? Let us know!

Potential Bits

If you don’t have a 20-page manifesto and just want to throw us a few sentences highlighting the good stuff you and your team are doing, we would be more than happy to include more bits like that in LUSTLine. Bits inspire ideas and foster connection. Someone might read your bit and say, “Hey, I should reach out to [cool person name] to find out more about how they were able to [important accomplishment].” Help us help you help others help themselves!

Another bit I’ve been mulling is a recurring interview segment to capture the institutional knowledge of our more seasoned peers. The value baked into the perspectives of 30+ years of experience is overwhelming. It feels imperative that we harness this expertise. If you know anyone getting ready to retire who’s made great contributions to the industry or someone recently retired that we can still get in touch with, please connect us. I’m thinking for the title of the segment we can reference 1985 (the year the first issue of LUSTLine was published) with a top 100 hit song like “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” or “We Built This City” or “Smooth Operator”.

In thinking about all the articles in the past 95 issues of LUSTLine, so much great information has been compiled over the years. If you find an article from a past issue that stands the test of time or that we could stand to revisit with a new lens, reach out and if we give it a spotlight in a future issue, we’ll give you a shout out.

Issue 97

While we’re thinking we’ll roll out bits… well, bit-by-bit… someone at the National Tanks Conference requested we give focus to the newer staff in the industry. Shout out to whoever that was who contributed the idea. We’re thinking of designing Issue 97 as a roadmap to enter the tanks community. This might include highlighting where to look for resources, who to reach out to with specific questions, what to watch, what to attend, and aim to highlight the work of various organizations operating in this industry. The goal would be to give these folks the most bang for their buck (LUSTLine is free, but still…) in the easiest format possible. Let us know of any resources or organizations that newer staff should know about.

NEIWPCC Project Updates

In September, NEIWPCC hosted the National Tanks Conference in Spokane, Washington. Following a fruitful National Tanks Conference, we buckled in and completed our free, self-paced, online Class A and B Operator Training and Exam in coordination with the folks at EPA OUST.

Down the road, we’re excited to be working on additional self-paced courses, short explainer videos, and an online community for regulators to connect, ask questions, and share resources. Stay tuned for more updates!