The bill establishes a reimbursement program for the replacement of pressurized single-walled steel piping in underground petroleum storage tank systems in Minnesota. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, specifically section 115C.08, subdivision 4, to include a new provision that allows for reimbursement of costs associated with replacing this piping. The new language specifies that the board will reimburse owners 50% of the costs for eligible equipment, which must be compatible with E25 or B20 standards, up to a maximum of $100,000 per eligible location, with an annual cap of $4,000,000 for the program. Additionally, it outlines the requirements for reimbursement, including the need for owners to consider multiple bids and ensures that costs deemed unreasonable will not be reimbursed.

Furthermore, the bill adds a new subdivision to section 115C.09, detailing definitions for terms such as "eligible equipment," "eligible location," and "qualified person." It stipulates that the reimbursement program will not apply to costs incurred for projects starting after January 1, 2026, and limits the number of reimbursements an owner can receive to two eligible locations per calendar year. The program is set to expire on June 30, 2036. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance environmental safety by incentivizing the replacement of outdated and potentially hazardous piping systems in petroleum storage.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 115C.08, 115C.09