Addressees (see attached list)
Dear :
The members of the Agricultural Advisory Board to the Department of Environmental Protection had recommended that the Department grant a one year moratorium on the requirement that regulated underground storage tanks only be removed by a certified installer. Further research of this issue revealed that since the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act requires the use of a certified installer for tank removal or closure, the Department cannot grant the moratorium unless the Act is amended. The Board therefore recommends that the legislature amend the Act to allow the Department to grant this moratorium.
The Board believes that this moratorium would permit the agricultural community and others, to remove underground storage tanks without incurring excessive and unnecessary expenses. The Board also believes that this moratorium will result in a greater number of underground storage tanks being removed, thus reducing the potential for groundwater pollution due to leaking and aging tanks. The one year moratorium on the requirement to only use a certified installer for the removal of underground storage tanks would entice more owners of underground storage tanks to remove the tanks, rather than simply abandoning the tanks to avoid the high costs of removal by a certified installer. This moratorium would not relieve underground storage tank owners of responsibilities regarding health and safety issues during tank removal operations. Proper closure and removal procedures should be followed by tank owners or their contractors, to include clean up of the site and the proper disposal of any substances stored in the tanks.
Since Pennsylvania's largest source of groundwater pollution (and the nation's) is from leaking underground storage tanks, the Board recommends that the legislature amend the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act to allow the Department to grant a one year moratorium on the requirement that regulated underground storage tanks only be removed by a certified installer. The amendment of the Act, and the granting of a moratorium by the Department, would provide the opportunity for the removal of more underground storage tanks to reduce the number of these significant potential pollution sources. The Board respectfully requests that you give this recommendation your thoughtful consideration.
If I may be of further assistance please contact me at 717-561-7200.
Sincerely,
Robert Junk
Chairperson
Agricultural Advisory
Board
Addressees:
The Honorable David J. Brightbill
Chair, Senate, Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
Room 337, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
The Honorable Eugene E. Porterfield
Minority Chair
Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
Room 460, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
The Honorable Robert D. Reber
Chair, House Environmental resources and Energy Committee
Room 149, Main Capitol building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
The Honorable Camille George
Minority Chair
House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
Room 38B, E Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120