§ 17-319. Underground Storage Tank Operator Training Program - Persons to be trained - Permit - Repetition of training - Costs.

A.  The Corporation Commission is authorized to implement, or contract for, an Underground Storage Tank Operator Training Program as required to comply with the provisions of the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005.

B.  The Commission may develop a training program within their agency or contract with an associated industry group or any other qualified entity it deems appropriate to fulfill the requirements of federal law or the provisions of this section.

C.  Operators of underground storage tanks shall complete a training program commensurate with their responsibility for the operation of underground storage tanks.  The training program shall be approved by the Commission and encompass training for persons with three levels of responsibility for storage tank operation as follows:

1.  Persons having primary responsibility for on-site operation and maintenance of underground storage tank systems;

2.  Persons having daily on-site responsibility for the operation and maintenance of underground storage tank systems; and

3.  Persons with daily, on-site primary responsibility for addressing emergencies presented by a spill or release from an underground storage tank.

D.  Storage tank operators shall be required to complete the training program required by the Commission to obtain an annual permit for the operation of underground storage tanks.

E.  Operators of underground storage tank systems shall repeat the applicable training if the tank for which they have primary daily on-site management responsibilities is determined to be out of compliance with a requirement or order of the Commission.

F.  Payments for administrative, technical and legal costs incurred in carrying out the provisions of this section shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) annually and may only be paid from monies in the Corporation Commission Storage Tank Regulation Revolving Fund created in Section 315 of Title 17 of the Oklahoma Statutes or from the Petroleum Storage Tank Indemnity Fund created in Section 353 of Title 17 of the Oklahoma Statutes, including the costs of any additional employees, contracting or increased general operating costs of the Commission which are attributable to the requirements of this section.  The Commission may assess any fees necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

G.  The Commission is authorized to promulgate any rules necessary to comply with the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 2008, c. 307, § 6, eff. July 1, 2008.