Floor Statements

Mr. President, 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. Twelve hundred households were without water with which to drink, bathe, or cook for over four months because MTBE contaminated fuel from a local gasoline station was leaking into the town's drinking water supply.

I believe the Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act of 2003 will assist communities that are grappling with these problems and will prevent such problems from recurring. The high cost of clean-up once a tank has leaked, demands the emphasis on prevention included in this legislation. The bill requires the inspection of all underground storage tanks every two years and for the first time focuses on the training of tank operators. It simply does not make sense to install modern, protective equipment if the people who operate them do not have the proper training. The bill also provides the Federal Government and States with the tools necessary to ensure that all parties are meeting Federal standards. In addition, the legislation emphasizes compliance of tanks owned by Federal, State, and local governments, and provides $125 million per year for cleanup of sites contaminated by MTBE.

This bill enjoys broad support, including the support of the regulated community and the environmental community. We have worked extensively with the Administration to address issues raised by the Environmental Protection Agency. I believe that this legislation goes a long way toward solving many of the problems relating to leaking tanks, and I thank all of my colleagues for working with me on this.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.