PURPOSE OF NOTICE: The Department of Environmental Quality is announcing the establishment of a Regulatory Advisory Panel (Panel or RAP) to assist the Department in revision of the Facility and Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Regulation 9VAC25-91. Included in this revision will be changes to implement Virginia Acts of Assembly Chapter 884 (2009 SB 843), but other changes will be considered as well. The Department is seeking persons interested in serving on the Panel.

 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF REQUESTS: September 6, 2011

 

BACKGROUND: During the 2011 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly passed SB 843 (Virginia Acts of Assembly Chapter 884), which requires the Department to revise regulations to include performance standards for operators of aboveground storage tanks at facilities with an aggregate capacity of one million gallons or greater existing prior to January 29, 1992, located in the City of Fairfax. Operators are required to meet performance standards no later than July 1, 2021. 

 

PURPOSE OF PANEL: The Department is establishing this Panel to review the subject legislation and make recommendations to the Department on how to implement the law’s provisions. It is anticipated that the Department will also review and revise other portions of the existing Facility and Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Regulation 9VAC25-91. The Department will publish a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action in the near future to begin the rulemaking process to implement this legislation and other changes to the existing regulations. However, the Panel established in response to this notice will be the panel used to assist the Department in the development of the revised regulations.