Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §563-A, sub-§8, as amended by PL 1997, c. 167, §1, is further amended to read:

8. Repaired concrete underground oil storage tanks. The requirements of subsection 1 do not apply to underground oil storage tanks that are constructed primarily of concrete and that:

A. Exceed 100,000 gallons in capacity;

B. Have been repaired after December 31, 1988;

C. Have environmental monitoring and other leak detection procedures approved by the commissioner, including monthly visual monitoring for oil; and

D. Store only #6 fuel oil.

After October 1, 2000 January 1, 2002 or after a documented leak or subsurface discharge of oil, a person may not operate, maintain or store oil in a concrete underground oil storage facility or tank exempt under this subsection. An owner or operator of a concrete underground oil storage tank exempt under this subsection is not eligible for coverage from the fund of clean-up costs and 3rd-party damage claim costs under section 568-A for any discharge discovered at that tank after October 1, 1997.

SUMMARY

Current law provides that, after October 1, 2000, a person may not operate, maintain or store oil in certain underground oil storage facilities and tanks. This bill extends that deadline by 15 months.