Lincoln Chafee: “today I am introducing the Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003. While this bill is being introduced today…”

“today I am introducing the Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003. While this bill is being introduced today, it already has a long history. The Superfund Subcommittee conducted two hearings on the bill last year. We have received solid testimony and input from interested parties throughout this process, and I believe that this measure goes a long way toward solving the problems we face with leaking underground storage tanks. In addition, the language in this bill was approved unanimously by the Environment and Public Works Committee in the 107th Congress. The chief reason for pursuing this legislation today is to improve compliance with the December 22, 1998 deadline for tank owners and operators to upgrade, replace, or close tanks that didn't meet minimum Federal requirements. To assess the situation, I asked the U.S. General Accounting Office in April, 2000 to examine compliance of tanks with Federal requirements. GAO concluded in May, 2001 that approximately 76,000 tanks have never been upgraded to meet minimum Federal standards. In addition, GAO found that more than 200,000 tanks are not being operated and maintained properly due, in part, to infrequent tank inspections and limited funding. Leaking tanks can have severe impacts on local communities. For example, the village of Pascoag, Rhode Island learned the hard way that the problems GAO outlined are real and have serious consequences.”