West Virginia: DEP changes allow for self-inspections of storage tanks

Tuesday, September 9, 2014
By Dave Boucher, Capitol Bureau Chief

State environmental regulators will allow people who are not registered professional engineers to inspect the majority of aboveground storage tanks in an attempt to allow owners to meet upcoming deadlines in the law passed after the Freedom Industries chemical leak.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin applauded the new system outlined in an “interpretive rule” from the state Department of Environmental Protection. He thanks the agency for creating a “risk assessment approach” to implementing the new law.

“The proposed rule released today provides guidance to owners and operators of aboveground storage tanks for complying with two key parts of Senate Bill 373: inspection and certification of tanks, and spill prevention response plans,” Tomblin said Tuesday.

“It protects the health and safety of all West Virginians, and our environment, from the risks of leaks of hazardous materials from aboveground storage tanks.”