This bill proposes the establishment of a new chapter in Title 23.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, focusing on the regulation of aboveground storage tanks (ASTs). It includes comprehensive definitions related to ASTs and outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Quality, which will oversee the administration and enforcement of these regulations. The department is mandated to adopt rules concerning leak detection, record-keeping, reporting of releases, and corrective actions, as well as to set standards for the construction and operation of new tanks. The bill also amends Section 23.1-12-02, updating definitions and clarifying the scope of regulations, while introducing new terms such as "electric energy conversion facility" and "midstream facility."

Additionally, the legislation enhances the regulatory framework by specifying requirements for tank integrity tests and expanding the definition of tanks to include those servicing rail locomotives and surface coal mining equipment. It introduces new definitions for "terminal" and "utility," clarifying their roles in refined petroleum product storage and electric energy generation. The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms, including civil penalties for violations and emergency actions for imminent hazards, ultimately aiming to protect public health and the environment through improved safety measures and clearer responsibilities for stakeholders involved in the management of storage tanks.

Statutes affected:
Adopted by the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee: 23.1-12-02
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 23.1-12-02