House Republican Press Release

July 30, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Miller: Governor Signs Storage Tank Bill

New Law Makes Changes To Removal Program

HARTFORD- Governor M. Jodi Rell signed legislation last Friday which was cosponsored by Representative Larry Miller (R-122) which makes significant changes to the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Petroleum Clean-Up Program. 

The measure broadens eligibility for reimbursement from the account, changes certain requirements for obtaining payment or reimbursement from the UST Clean-Up Petroleum Account Review Board, and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to develop regulations concerning removal of residential heating oil storage tank systems.

The program was originally initiated to reimburse UST owners for costs associated with removal and remediation of leaking residential heating oil storage tank systems.

Representative Miller has been an outspoken critic of the few contractors who have done poor work in removing some of the tanks, sometimes spilling oil in the process.  Miller says such events highlight the need for this bill requiring regulations.

“This new law makes some critical improvements to the existing tank removal program,” said Representative Miller.  “One of the critical elements of this legislation is the requirement that DEP adopt regulations concerning removal of pipes from the residential heating oil storage tanks systems when the tank is removed.  Many times a tank is removed that is not leaking, and careless handling of the pipes can cause a small spill of oil, which in turn results in a contamination being declared when there was in fact no contamination.”

The Governor signed the measure in her Capitol office this afternoon.  “I applaud the Governor for signing this measure into law, and appreciate her support of efforts to improve the way the state handles the problem of leaking underground oil storage tanks,” Miller said.

The new law takes effect on October 1, 2007.