Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to regulate above ground petroleum storage tanks.
Official title: A bill to regulate above ground storage tanks having the capacity to store at least one million gallons of petroleum, and for other purposes.
This bill died when its Congress ended.
Bills don't carry over between Congresses. Without re-introduction in a new session, it cannot advance.
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to regulate above ground petroleum storage tanks. Requires tank owners to notify State or local authorities of the existence of such tank, specifying the age, size, type, location, assembly history, and uses of the tank. Requires each State to inventory above ground petroleum storage tanks in such State, aggregate the data derived from tank owners, and submit such data to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency within two years of this Act's enactment. Directs the Administrator to promulgate petroleum spill prevention, correction, and financial responsibility regulations applicable to tanks which are 30 or more years old, have been reassembled in whole or in part, or have been relocated from their original site. Includes within such regulations requirements for: (1) the granting of operating permits pursuant to periodic tank inspections; (2) immediate reporting of a release and corrective action taken in response to a release; and (3) maintaining evidence of financial responsibility. Requires the Administrator, in promulgating financial responsibility regulations, to conduct a study to determine the appropriate amounts of coverage for the costs and damages of a spill. Permits the assertion of claims against guarantors providing evidence of financial responsibility for claims against insolvent tank owners or operators. Allows the Administrator to waive financial responsibility requirements upon the owner's or operator's demonstration of a secondary containment adequate to hold any release. Permits corrective actions by the Administrator or States to protect human health or the environment, but makes tank owners or operators liable for costs. Authorizes a State to submit for the Administrator's review and approval a program under which such State would assume primary responsibility for the enforcement of regulations pertaining to above ground storage tanks. Requires State programs to be at least as stringent as the Federal program. Sets forth actions to be taken when a facility owner or operator has not complied with or cannot meet financial responsibility requirements. Requires owners or operators of tanks to furnish the relevant government employees with all necessary information, including submitting their facilities to inspection and monitoring. Provides for confidentiality of such information and criminal penalties for prohibited disclosure. Authorizes the use of compliance orders to enforce this Act, providing daily civil penalties for noncompliance. Includes tanks under Federal jurisdiction under this Act, permitting exemptions of up to one year upon the President's specific request. Requires all exemptions to be reported annually to the Congress. Directs the Administrator to study above ground petroleum and regulated substance storage tanks and report to the Congress and the President on the results of such studies within one year of this Act's enactment. Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on the cause and environmental effects of the petroleum spill into the Monongahela River on January 2, 1988. Requires the Administrator to establish and carry out inspector training programs in all EPA regional offices. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
Filed in the Senate
This senate bill has been filed and is working its way through Congress. It will need to pass both the Senate and the House, then be signed by the President to become law.
Who introduced this
John Heinz
RU.S. Senator · PA
Introduced solo — no cosponsors joined.
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