This bill establishes a new chapter in Title 23.1 of the North Dakota Century Code to regulate aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and amends existing definitions and provisions related to the Department of Environmental Quality and tank registration fees. It introduces comprehensive definitions for terms related to ASTs, such as "aboveground storage tank," "department," "disposal," and "release." The bill outlines the powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Quality, including administering regulations, adopting rules for leak detection and monitoring, and establishing a permit fee system. It also specifies exemptions for certain tanks, such as residential and heating oil tanks, and includes provisions for inspections, emergency actions, and penalties for violations.

Additionally, the bill amends the registration payment process for tank owners or operators, replacing the previous deadline of July first with a requirement that if a payment is not received within sixty days of the due date, a late fee of twenty-five dollars per tank per month will be imposed. This change aims to ensure compliance with updated regulatory timelines. The bill also introduces new definitions related to tanks used for storing petroleum and renewable fuels, including those for ethanol or biodiesel with a capacity exceeding twenty thousand gallons, and clarifies the definition of a "terminal" as a refined petroleum product storage and distribution facility supplied directly by pipeline. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the regulatory framework for tank storage and management in North Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Adopted by the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee: 23.1-12-02
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 23.1-12-02
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Beard: 23.1-12-02, 23.1-12-17
Enrollment: 23.1-12-02, 23.1-12-17