Joint Statement from Senate President Jeff Kessler and House Speaker Tim Miley: We urge Governor Tomblin to call a brief special session during the upcoming September interim meetings to modify the date of implementation for the inspection and certification of the Above Ground Storage Tank Act (SB373). Doing so during the interim meetings will not incur any additional cost to the taxpayers. While we are extremely proud of the comprehensive regulatory legislation produced earlier this year to protect drinking water for our state citizens, it has become apparent that the Jan. 1, 2015 deadline for these inspections is unattainable. Extending that deadline will allow the state Department of Environmental Protection to put in place, with public input, agency rules to fairly and effectively govern the inspection and certification process. Any continued delay in taking action on this matter only causes uncertainty within affected industries and the families that rely on them for employment. Meanwhile, the DEP will move forward with creating an inventory and conducting a risk assessment of above ground storage tanks statewide. |
Senate News Releases | | House News Releases |