The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), a statewide trade association advocating for the retail food industry, applauds the Pennsylvania House of Representatives vote yesterday to amend the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act.
HB 290, sponsored by Representative Carl Metzgar (R-Bedford and Somerset), adds PFMA to
the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board (USTIB) and removes the now dissolved
Mid-Atlantic Truck Stop Operators.
“This legislation finally gives PFMA members representation on the USTIB,” said Alex Baloga,
PFMA president and CEO. “Our fuel retailers have locations with thousands of underground
storage tanks (UST), and they are uniquely qualified to participate in the USTIB activities.”
The legislation adds four additional appointments to the board. The President Pro Tempore,
Speaker, Senate Minority Leader and House Minority Leader can each make one appointment.
It also increases the allocation from the funds for the Underground Storage Tank Environmental
Cleanup Program from $500,000 to $750,000, while it decreases the funds for the UST Pollution
Prevention Program from $1 million to $350,000, and increases the DEP reimbursement from
the fund from $3 million to $7 million.
“Our thanks to Representative Metzgar for sponsoring this legislation, to the House and Senate
for unanimously voting to pass it, and to Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan,
Susquehanna and Union) for sponsoring the Senate companion bill.” Baloga said.
The bill now heads to Governor Tom Wolf for consideration.
