December 13, 2001

The Pennsylvania Senate and House Wednesday unanimously approved Senate Bill 696,  sponsored by Senator  Ray Musto, which calls for specific reporting requirements in the case of an underground storage tank leak.

Musto (D-Luzerne), prime sponsor of the bill, said the bill was developed in response to the gas spill affecting the Laurel Gardens neighborhood in Hazleton and Hazle Township. Federal and state authorities began to investigate a leak there in 1993 but did not inform the public for three years, the lawmaker said.

"This remedies a very unfortunate situation," Musto said. "No one should be kept in the dark about a health risk. It’s totally unfair for any governmental agencies not to notify people. I appreciate the unanimous support of my colleagues. This could have happened anywhere."

Musto said that Senate Bill 696 will prevent a similar situation from happening in the future. The legislation amends the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act to require specific notification at specific times in the case of a reportable release from an underground storage tank.

If a release poses an immediate threat to public health and safety, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the respective municipality must – at a minimum – provide information about the details surrounding the release and its impact, published in a newspaper serving the area, said Musto, who has been widely recognized for his environmental preservation and conservation efforts.

"This bill will ensure that citizens will be aware of such a potential danger in their town," Musto said.

The bill will now be forwarded to the governor for his consideration.

For more information contact Mike Cotter @ 570-654-1483 or mcotter@dem.pasen.gov

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