Source: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/10/059
Timestamp: 2020-02-20 01:01:27
Document Index: 748889184

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1921', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1923', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 4', '§ 1924', '§ 1', '§ 1925', '§ 1', '§ 1927', '§ 1', '§ 9', '§ 8', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 41', '§ 1928', '§ 1', '§ 9', '§ 4', '§ 7', '§ 1929', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 1929', '§ 3', '§ 1931', '§ 1', '§ 10', '§ 5', '§ 1932', '§ 1', '§ 11', '§ 1933', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 43', '§ 1934', '§ 1', '§ 6', '§ 1', '§ 1935', '§ 1', '§ 7', '§ 42', '§ 1936', '§ 2822', '§ 1', '§ 7', '§ 3', '§ 1938', '§ 2', '§ 18', '§ 1939', '§ 2', '§ 25', '§ 38', '§ 2', '§ 1940', '§ 2', '§ 20', '§ 1941', '§ 9', '§ 1942', '§ 2', '§ 9', '§ 2', '§ 9', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 4', '§ 7', '§ 127', '§ 5', '§ 43', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 11', '§ 1943', '§ 3', '§ 9', '§ 3', '§ 10', '§ 3', '§ 31', '§ 6', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 12', '§ 1944', '§ 4', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 9', '§ 6']

Chapter 059: UNDERGROUND AND ABOVEGROUND LIQUID STORAGE TANKS
Subchapter 001: UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK REGULATION
§ 1921. Purpose
The ground and surface waters of the State are an essential and significant portion of the natural resources of the State historically protected by State programs. Significant contamination of these natural resources and hazard to the public health results from the failure of aboveground storage tanks and underground facilities for the storage and handling of petroleum liquids, related sludges, and other chemicals. It is the purpose of this chapter to prevent ground and surface water contamination from these facilities by authorizing the establishment of State standards and criteria for the design, installation, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of underground liquid storage facilities. It is the intent of this chapter to provide authority to the Secretary to enable the Secretary to operate a program consistent with or more stringent than that contained in Title VI of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1997, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 23, 1998.)
§ 1923. Notice of new or existing underground storage tank
(a) New tanks. When an underground storage tank is installed or entered into service after June 30, 1985, the owner shall notify the Secretary of the existence of that tank.
(b) Tanks in service on June 30, 1985. Before April 1, 1986, any person who on June 30, 1985 owns an underground storage tank currently in use shall notify the Secretary of the existence of that tank.
(c) Tanks no longer in service. Any person who knowingly owned or used an underground storage tank after January 1, 1974, and who does not have knowledge that the tank has been closed in accordance with tank closure requirements prescribed by the rules, shall make a one-time notification to the Secretary regarding the existence of that tank. No person is required under this section to report a tank that has been reported under subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Notices. Notices under this section shall be in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary.
(1) All notices shall include at least the following information, to the extent known by the person reporting:
(A) the tank's size, type, and location; and
(B) the type and quantity of substance, if any, stored in it.
(2) Notices for tanks that are no longer in operation shall also include the following information, to the extent known by the person reporting:
(A) the date the tank was taken out of operation; and
(B) the age of the tank at that time.
(e) Applicability. Notices under this section and section 1925 of this title shall apply to any underground storage tank, except for: farm or residential tanks of equal to or less than 1,100 gallons capacity that are used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes; and heating oil tanks used for on-premises heating purposes that are less than or equal to 1,100 gallons capacity. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1991, No. 85, § 2; 1997, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. April 23, 1998.)
§ 1924. Integrity report
The owner or operator of an underground storage tank may be ordered by the Secretary to complete a tank integrity demonstration in the following circumstances:
(1) when the Secretary has reason to suspect there is or has been a release, or
(2) when in the Secretary's opinion the age, operation, or conditions surrounding the installation, or any combination of the above, so warrant. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1.)
§ 1925. Notice in land records
In order to make the information available to future purchasers, tank owners shall record the existence and location of underground storage tanks in local land records. The Secretary shall establish by rule the information to be recorded and the manner of recording. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1.)
§ 1927. Regulation of category one tanks
(a) After June 30, 1986, no owner or operator shall operate or maintain a category one tank without first having obtained a permit from the Secretary. Application for a permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the Secretary. Permits issued by the Secretary shall not exceed five years.
(b) A permit for an underground storage tank shall specify:
(1) that new tanks be cathodically protected or be constructed of a noncorrosive material or be constructed of steel clad with noncorrosive material;
(2) standards for design of new tanks that shall ensure a technology and provide a level of protection that is at least equivalent to that provided by double wall tanks which may be monitored from the surface. The Secretary, by rule, may determine that in specific circumstances these standards are not necessary to protect the environment and the public health;
(3) installation and compatibility requirements;
(4) leak detection and monitoring requirements, including at least one of the following: the maintenance of inventory, leak detection, or monitoring records;
(5) reporting requirements;
(6) requirements for maintaining evidence of financial responsibility for corrective action, including compensating third parties, except for tanks used to store a hazardous substance defined in subdivision 1922(6)(A) of this title, unless that financial responsibility is required by federal law;
(7) requirements for taking corrective action in response to releases;
(8) requirements for reporting releases and corrective action taken and its effectiveness;
(9) requirements for tank closure as prescribed by the rules;
(10) requirements for the upgrade or closure of tanks by December 22, 1998 that do not meet standards adopted to prevent releases due to corrosion, and spills or overfills; and
(11) other requirements necessary to carry out the purposes indicated in section 1921 of this title.
(c) If inventory records are not properly maintained, the Secretary may require that a tank integrity demonstration be completed.
(d) No person shall deliver a regulated substance to a category one tank that is visibly designated by the Agency as not meeting standards adopted by the Secretary related to corrosion protection, spill prevention, leak detection, financial responsibility, or overfill protection.
(e) The following tank systems shall be closed in accordance with rules adopted by the Secretary:
(1) not later than January 1, 2016, single-wall tank systems; and
(2) not later than January 1, 2018, combination tank systems, except that combination tank systems in which the tank has been lined shall be closed by January 1, 2018 or by ten years from the date by which the tank was lined, whichever is later.
(f) A tank owner may petition the Secretary to allow a lined combination tank system to remain in service an additional five years beyond the date established in subdivision (e)(2) of this section. The Secretary may grant the petition upon a determination that:
(1) no release has occurred from the tank system;
(2) the tank system has passed an inspection for lined tank systems adopted by the Secretary by rule; and
(3) no repairs are suggested or needed to the tank liner.
(g) On and after May 30, 2013, a person shall not line a single-wall or combination tank system, unless the single-wall or combination system meets standards for new lined systems adopted by procedure by the Secretary. At a minimum, these standards shall address the tank system's piping, secondary containment for all portions of the system except the tank, leak detection, liquid tight containment sumps on the tank top, and liquid tight dispenser sumps.
(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, a person shall not line a single-wall or combination tank system after January 1, 2014. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1987, No. 76, § 9; 1987, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1989, No. 110, § 3, eff. June 20, 1989; 1991, No. 85, § 5; 1997, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. April 23, 1998; 2007, No. 18, § 1; 2013, No. 55, § 2, eff. May 30, 2013; 2019, No. 14, § 41, eff. April 30, 2019.)
§ 1928. Regulation of farm and residential large motor fuel tanks
The Secretary shall establish rules for the new installation of or reentry into service of farm and residential underground storage tanks of greater than 1,100 gallons that are or have been used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes. These rules shall establish registration requirements and requirements that address tank condition, composition, size, type, compatibility, and method of installation. No person shall install or reenter into service such a tank after the effective date of these rules without complying with these rules. The Secretary also shall adopt rules that establish requirements for any monitoring or leak detection system or inventory control system or tank testing system deemed appropriate and maintaining records thereof. The rules also shall establish requirements for reporting of any releases and taking corrective action, requirements for tank closure and evidence of financial responsibility, and requirements for the upgrade or closure of tanks by December 22, 1998 that do not meet standards adopted to prevent releases due to corrosion, and spills or overfills. These rules for new and existing tanks shall take into account the unique schedule of home and farm use. Inventory control measures shall be appropriate to these uses. After December 22, 1998, no person shall deliver a regulated substance to a farm or residential tank regulated under this section if that tank is not visibly designated on the premises in a manner prescribed by the Agency as meeting standards adopted to prevent releases due to corrosion, spills, or overfills. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1987, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 1989, No. 110, § 4, eff. June 20, 1989; 1997, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. April 23, 1998.)
§ 1929. Regulation of large heating oil tanks
The Secretary shall establish tank registration requirements for underground storage tanks of greater than 1,100 gallons that are or have been used to contain fuel oil for on-premises heating purposes. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1.)
(a) On or before December 31, 2011, the Secretary shall adopt rules addressing the design and proper installation of aboveground storage tanks.
(c) On or before July 1, 2017, the Secretary shall adopt rules for the inspection of aboveground storage tanks. The rules shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) when installation of secondary containment systems for types of aboveground storage tanks is required, the required specifications of the systems, and the process for installation of the systems;
(2) the protocol to be followed and the criteria to be reviewed in the performance of inspections required under this section, including:
(A) the appropriate methods to document the age of tanks installed on or after July 1, 2017;
(B) the frequency of required tank inspections;
(C) requirements for the tagging or marking of tanks and tank fill pipes when tanks are determined to be noncompliant with the requirements of this section or the rules adopted by the Secretary under this section;
(3) an updated checklist to be used in the performance of inspections required under this section or the rules adopted by the Secretary under this section;
(4) training and certification requirements for tank inspectors;
(5) the protocol to address tanks identified as noncompliant with the inspection criteria established by the rules adopted by the Secretary under this section; and
(6) requirements for the reuse of an aboveground storage tank removed under the requirement of subsection (g) of this section.
(d) A fuel supplier shall inspect an aboveground storage tank in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(e) The Secretary shall maintain a database of tanks that have been determined to be noncompliant with the requirements of this section or the rules adopted by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The database shall be accessible to the public.
(f) No person shall deliver heating fuel to an aboveground storage tank that has been visibly designated as noncompliant with the requirements of this chapter.
(g) If the owner of any aboveground storage tank that serves a structure converts the type of fuel used for the structure from fuel oil or kerosene to natural gas so that the structure is no longer served for any purpose by the aboveground storage tank, the owner shall have the aboveground storage tank used to store fuel oil or kerosene and any fill pipes removed at the same time as the conversion. As used in this subsection, "structure" means any assembly of materials that is intended for occupancy or use by a person and that has at least three walls and a roof. (Added 2007, No. 18, § 2; amended 2015, No. 76 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
§ 1929b. Regulation of heating oil tanks at public buildings
The Secretary shall establish tank registration requirements for underground storage tanks equal to or less than 1,100 gallons that are or have been used to contain fuel oil for on-premises heating purposes at a public building. (Added 2009, No. 22, § 3.)
§ 1931. Inspections; right of entry; information
For the purposes of developing or enforcing any rule, regulation, standard, permit, or order authorized by this chapter, the Secretary, or the Secretary's authorized representative, may request and any permittee or owner or operator shall conduct monitoring or testing of tanks, associated equipment, contents, or surrounding soils, air, surface water, or groundwater and shall furnish information relating to tanks, associated equipment, and tank contents, and any duly authorized representative of the Secretary may upon presentation of appropriate credentials at any reasonable time:
(1) enter any property where underground storage tanks are located;
(2) inspect and obtain samples;
(3) inspect and copy records, reports, information, or test results relating to the purposes of this chapter;
(4) conduct monitoring or testing of the tanks, associated equipment, contents, or surrounding soils, air, surface water, or groundwater;
(5) conduct corrective action;
(6) upon refusal of entry by a permittee or owner or operator for inspection, sampling, monitoring or testing, corrective action, or copying pursuant to this section, the Secretary or the duly authorized representative may apply for and obtain an entry order or subpoena, or both, to allow such entry, inspection, sampling, monitoring or testing, corrective action, or copying from the District or Superior Court in whose jurisdiction the property is located. An entry order or subpoena, or both, shall issue upon a showing that:
(A) there is probable cause to believe an underground storage tank is located on the property;
(B) entry onto the property has been requested; and
(C) entry has been denied. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1987, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 1989, No. 110, § 5, eff. June 20, 1989.)
§ 1932. Orders
Upon receiving information that the operation, maintenance, or condition of an underground storage tank or the surrounding environs may present a threat or a hazard to the health of persons or to the environment, or may present an actual or threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, the Secretary may issue to the owner or operator an order establishing reasonable and proper methods for the control of the activity, tank closure, removal of contaminated materials, and the management of substances in the tank or the surrounding environs in order to reduce or eliminate the hazard or the violation. Orders of the Secretary may include requiring the owner to undertake investigations on properties of the owner. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1987, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 11.)
§ 1933. Appeals
Appeals of any act or decision of the Department under this subchapter shall be made in accordance with chapter 220 of this title. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1995, No. 57, § 3; 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 43, eff. Jan. 31, 2005.)
§ 1934. Enforcement
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions or procedure set forth in this chapter, if the Secretary finds that a person is in violation of this chapter or has failed to comply with any provisions of any order, standard, rule, or permit issued in accordance with this chapter, he or she may bring suit in the Superior Court in any county where the noncompliance has occurred to enjoin the act and to obtain compliance. The suit shall be brought by the Attorney General or the appropriate State's Attorney in the name of the State for injunctive relief or for the imposition of penalties and fines as provided in section 1935 of this title. The court may issue a temporary injunction or order in such proceedings and may exercise all plenary powers available to it in addition to the power to:
(1) enjoin further releases;
(2) order design, construction, installation, or operation of alternate facilities;
(3) order the removal of facilities, contaminated soils and the restoration of the environment;
(4) fix and order compensation for any public or private property destroyed, damaged, or injured;
(5) assess and award punitive damages;
(6) order reimbursement to any agency of federal, State, or local government from any person whose acts caused governmental expenditures under section 1283 of this title, or under subdivision 1941(b)(3) or (7) of this title and in accordance with the provisions of subsection 1941(f) of this title.
(b) In addition to the remedies described in subsection (a) of this section, if the Secretary finds that a person has installed, removed, repaired, or tested an underground storage tank in violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter, the person who installed, removed, repaired, or tested the tank may be subject to penalties and required to take all actions necessary to correct the violation in accordance with the provisions of chapters 201 and 211 of this title. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1989, No. 110, § 6, eff. June 20, 1989; 1997, No. 12, § 1.)
§ 1935. Penalties
(a) Criminal penalty. Any person who knowingly or intentionally violates any provision of this chapter or the rules promulgated herein, or any permits or any order standards issued in accordance with this chapter shall be subject to a criminal penalty not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
(b) Civil penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, or the terms and conditions of any order or permit issued by the Secretary, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000.00 per storage tank.
(c) Each violation may be a separate and distinct offense and in the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof may be deemed a separate and distinct offense. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1989, No. 110, § 7, eff. June 20, 1989; 2019, No. 14, § 42, eff. April 30, 2019.)
§ 1936. Licensure of tank inspectors
(a) The Secretary may establish a process for licensing persons to perform tank integrity demonstrations, as provided by this section. Under that process, the Secretary shall charge a fee, in accordance with 3 V.S.A. § 2822. The Secretary shall license persons who demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that they possess the ability to perform tank integrity demonstrations. This demonstration of ability may consist of written and field examinations and may establish different types of licenses for different types of demonstrations. No person shall be required to obtain a license in order to carry out duties as a State employee.
(b) After offering opportunity for hearing before the Secretary or a hearing officer, the Secretary may revoke the license of any tank inspector who has committed fraud or deceit in obtaining licensure or submitting an application or who has demonstrated gross negligence or incompetence in performing a tank integrity demonstration or in other work relating to a tank integrity demonstration. (Added 1985, No. 66, § 1; amended 1987, No. 76, § 7; 1991, No. 85, § 3.)
Subchapter 002: UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
§ 1938. Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund
There is hereby created in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund, to be expended by the Secretary of Natural Resources as allowed by federal law. The Secretary may accept and use funds available through the federal underground storage tank trust fund for those purposes. All balances in the Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward and remain a part of the fund. Interest earned by the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund. The Secretary may seek reimbursement of the funds expended. Funds recovered shall be deposited as required by federal regulations. Disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants drawn by the Commissioner of Finance and Management. (Added 1987, No. 85, § 2, eff. June 9, 1987; amended 1987, No. 76, § 18.)
§ 1939. Risk retention pool
The owners and operators of underground storage tanks may obtain the advice of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation, and may establish an insurance pool. The Commissioner shall adopt rules to assist in the formation of such pools and to expedite approval of any plan of operation. The Commissioner shall also adopt rules relating to the administration and operation of such pools in order to provide for the fiscal integrity of agreements entered into and to provide that trade, market, and claim practices engaged in are equitable, fair, and consistent. The establishment of such a pool shall conform to all requirements of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation and applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulation. (Added 1987, No. 85, § 2, eff. June 9, 1987; amended 1989, No. 225 (Adj. Sess.), § 25; 1995, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 38(a); 2011, No. 78 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 2, 2012.)
§ 1940. Underground storage tank incentive program
(a) The owners of a retail gasoline outlet that sells less than 20,000 gallons of gasoline per month and that desire assistance to replace underground storage tanks in compliance with this chapter, and municipalities with a population of less than 2,500 people may apply to the Secretary for such assistance. The financial assistance may be in the form of grants of up to $5,000.00 or the cost of complying with the requirements of this chapter, whichever is less.
(b) The application shall be supported by information covering:
(1) proof of tank ownership;
(2) an estimated cost of tank replacement;
(3) the amount and type of assistance requested;
(4) a tank replacement schedule;
(5) in the case of gasoline stations, the monthly volume of gasoline sales for the previous 12 months;
(6) such other information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
(c) In cases of applications from the owners of retail gasoline outlets, priority shall be given to those applicants from areas with a low density of retail gasoline outlets and for whom the expense of tank replacement is likely to cause termination of retail gasoline services.
(d) Assistance in accordance with this section shall be provided from funds authorized for this purpose from the oil overcharge funds. (Added 1987, No. 85, § 2, eff. June 9, 1987.)
(C) an underground heating fuel tank used for on-premises heating after the first $10,000.00 of the cleanup costs have been borne by the owners or operators of tanks with capacities over 1,100 gallons used for commercial purposes, or after the first $250.00 of the cleanup costs have been borne by the owners or operators of tanks with capacities equal to or less than 1,100 gallons used for commercial purposes, or after the first $250.00 of the cleanup costs have been borne by the owners or operators of residential and farm tanks. Disbursements on any site shall not exceed $990,000.00 and shall be made from the Heating Fuel Account;
(8) the cost of initiating spill control procedures, removal actions, and remedial actions to clean up spills of oil and other petroleum products where the responsible party is unknown, cannot be contacted, is unwilling to take action, or does not take timely action that the Secretary considers necessary.
(e) The Secretary shall establish a Petroleum Cleanup Fund Advisory Committee that shall meet not less than annually to review receipts and disbursements from the Fund, to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund in meeting its purposes and the reasonableness of the cost of cleanup, and to recommend alterations and statutory amendments deemed appropriate. The Advisory Committee shall submit an annual report of its findings to the General Assembly on January 15 of each year. In its annual report, the Advisory Committee shall review the financial stability of the Fund, evaluate the implementation of assistance related to underground farm or residential heating fuel storage tanks and aboveground storage tanks, and the need for continuing assistance, and shall include recommendations for sustainable funding sources to finance the provision of that assistance. The provisions of 2 V.S.A. § 20(d) (expiration of required reports) shall not apply to the report to be made under this subsection. The membership of the Committee shall include the following or their designated representative:
(1) the Secretary of Natural Resources who shall be chair;
§ 1941a. Repealed. 2003, No. 55, §§ 9(1) and (2), eff. May 30, 2013 and Jan. 1, 2018.
§ 1942. Petroleum distributor licensing fee
(a) There is hereby established a licensing fee of one cent per gallon of motor fuel sold by a distributor or dealer or used by a user in this State, that will be assessed against every distributor, dealer, or user as defined in 23 V.S.A. chapters 27 and 28, and that will be deposited into the Petroleum Cleanup Fund established pursuant to subsection 1941(a) of this title. The Secretary, in consultation with the Petroleum Cleanup Fund Advisory Committee established pursuant to subsection 1941(e) of this title, shall annually report to the General Assembly on the balance of the Motor Fuel Account and shall make recommendations, if any, for changes to the program. The Secretary shall also determine the unencumbered balance of the Motor Fuel Account as of May 15 of each year, and if the balance is equal to or greater than $7,000,000.00, then the licensing fee shall not be assessed in the upcoming fiscal year. The Secretary shall promptly notify all sellers assessing this fee of the status of the fee for the upcoming fiscal year. This fee shall be paid in the same manner, at the same time, and subject to the same restrictions or limitations as the tax on motor fuels. The fee shall be collected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and deposited into the Petroleum Cleanup Fund. This fee requirement shall terminate on April 1, 2031.
(b) There is assessed a licensing fee of one cent per gallon for the bulk retail sale of heating oil, kerosene, or other dyed diesel fuel sold in this State. This fee shall be subject to the collection, administration, and enforcement provisions of 32 V.S.A. chapter 233, and the fees collected under this subsection by the Commissioner of Taxes shall be deposited into the Petroleum Cleanup Fund established pursuant to subsection 1941(a) of this title. The Secretary, in consultation with the Petroleum Cleanup Fund Advisory Committee established pursuant to subsection 1941(e) of this title, shall annually report to the General Assembly on the balance of the Heating Fuel Account and shall make recommendations, if any, for changes to the program. The Secretary shall also determine the unencumbered balance of the Heating Fuel Account as of May 15 of each year, and if the balance is equal to or greater than $3,000,000.00, then the licensing fee shall not be assessed in the upcoming fiscal year. The Secretary shall promptly notify all sellers assessing this fee of the status of the fee for the upcoming fiscal year. This fee provision shall terminate on April 1, 2031. (Added 1987, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 1, 1989; amended 1989, No. 110, § 9, eff. June 20, 1989; 1993, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1997, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. April 23, 1998; 2003, No. 48, § 2, eff. June 2, 2003; 2003, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2007, No. 18, § 4; 2007, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.006; 2009, No. 4, § 127, eff. April 24, 2009; 2009, No. 22, § 5; 2009, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 43; 2011, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 55, § 4, eff. May 30, 2013; 2017, No. 168 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. May 22, 2018.)
§ 1943. Petroleum tank assessment
(a) Each owner of a category one tank used for storage of petroleum products shall annually remit to the Secretary $100.00 per double-wall tank system; $250.00 per combination tank system if the single-wall tank has been lined; $500.00 for all other combination tank systems; and $1,000.00 per single-wall tank system, which shall be deposited to the Petroleum Cleanup Fund established by section 1941 of this title, except that:
(1) For retail gasoline outlets that sell less than 40,000 gallons of motor fuel per month, the fee shall be:
(A) $75.00 per double-wall tank system;
(B) $125.00 per combination tank system; and
(C) $175.00 per single-wall tank system.
(2) The fee shall be reduced by 50 percent if the owner or permittee provides to the satisfaction of the Secretary evidence of financial responsibility to allow the taking of corrective action in the amount of $100,000.00 per occurrence and the compensation of third parties for bodily injury and property damage in the amount of $300,000.00 per occurrence.
(3) The fee shall be relieved if the owner provides to the satisfaction of the Secretary, evidence of financial responsibility to allow the taking of corrective action and the compensation of third parties for bodily injury and property damage each in the amount of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence.
(4) The fee for retail motor fuel outlets selling 20,000 gallons or less per month shall not exceed $100.00 per year for all double-wall tanks at a single location and shall not exceed $300.00 for all combination tank systems at a single location. This cap shall not apply to a retail motor fuel outlet utilizing a single-wall tank system.
(5) For any municipality that uses an annual average of less than 40,000 gallons of motor fuel per month, provided that all of the tanks of that municipality meet the requirements of this chapter, the fee shall be:
(A) $50.00 per double-wall tank system;
(B) $100.00 per combination tank system; and
(C) $150.00 per single-wall tank system.
(b) For purposes of this section, an occurrence is an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to conditions, that results in the release of petroleum from one or more underground storage tanks at the same site.
(c) This tank assessment shall terminate on July 1, 2029.
(d) The Secretary shall establish forms and procedures for the payment of the petroleum tank assessment, including a notice of the obligation 30 days prior to being due. Failure to receive notice shall not waive the payment obligation. (Added 1987, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 1989, No. 110, §§ 9a, 10; 1993, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1997, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. April 23, 1998; 2003, No. 48, § 3, eff. June 2, 2003; 2007, No. 76, § 31; 2009, No. 22, § 6; 2011, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2013, No. 55, § 5, eff. July 1, 2014; 2017, No. 168 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 22, 2018.)
§ 1944. Underground Storage Tank Loan Assistance Program
(a) The Secretary may make individual loans of up to $150,000.00 for:
(1) the replacement or removal of category one tanks used for the storage of petroleum products. These loans shall be made from the Motor Fuel Account;
(2) the removal, or the replacement or improvement, or both, of piping, tank-top sumps, and other components of the secondary containment and release detection systems of category one tanks, for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of a release of regulated substance to the environment. These loans shall be made from the Motor Fuel Account;
(3) the removal, replacement, or upgrade of an underground or aboveground storage tank used for the storage of petroleum products for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of a release of petroleum into the environment. These loans shall be made from the Motor Fuel Account or Heating Fuel Account depending upon the use or contents of the tank.
(b) Loans shall be made to the person who owns the existing motor fuel tanks or will own the new motor fuel tanks. Loans will be in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Secretary that shall include requirements that:
(1) loans be made only for the costs associated with the replacement or removal of an underground motor fuel storage tank or improvement of piping and ancillary equipment used for the storage of petroleum products and associated facilities with a tank and facilities conforming to the requirements of this chapter;
(2) loans be secured by means satisfactory to the Secretary;
(3) proposed projects comply with all planning, zoning, laws, and regulation of the municipality where they are located and of the State of Vermont;
(4) loans have a satisfactory maturity date, in no case later than ten years from the date of the loan. The Secretary may, upon a showing of financial hardship by the person who took out the loan, extend the maturity date for not more than an additional five years.
(c) The loans will be at a zero interest rate, except that a person who owns five or more facilities shall have an interest rate of two percent. As used in this subsection, "facility" shall mean the property upon which a category one tank is located.
(d) The Secretary shall deposit repayments to the Petroleum Cleanup Fund.
(e) The Secretary may contract with other State agencies or authorities or with a commercial lending institution to carry out all or any portion of this loan program.
(f) At no time shall the amount of outstanding loans exceed the total of the amount of funds deposited to the Petroleum Cleanup Fund from the licensing fee established by section 1942 of this title.
(g) The Secretary may refinance existing loans for motor fuel tanks used for the storage of petroleum products incurred after July 1, 1987 under the same terms, conditions, and limitations that apply to initial loans. (Added 1987, No. 282 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; amended 1999, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2003, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2007, No. 18, § 5; 2009, No. 22, § 9; 2013, No. 55, § 6, eff. May 30, 2013.)