News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Office of Public Information -- Phone: (405) 521-4180 FAX (405) 521-6945

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick K. Petree Reference: FD21898-10

Technical Conference on Storage Tank Rules Changes Set for Feb. 26, 1998

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has scheduled a public technical conference on Thursday, Feb. 26, for an informal discussion of proposed changes in underground and above-ground storage tank rules.

The technical conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 301, Jim Thorpe State Office Building, 2101 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City. Tank owners and operators, environmental consultants, tank installers and other interested parties are invited to attend.

Proposed changes include new requirements for installation and monitoring of underground piping used in above-ground storage tank systems. Other proposed rules changes deal with leak reporting requirements, licensing procedures for underground tank installers, certain upgrade requirements for underground storage tanks, and testing for methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MtBE) contamination in ground water.

Written comments concerning the proposed rules will be accepted through March 9. The commissioners will conduct a public hearing to consider the changes at 1:30 p.m. on March 24.

Copies of the proposed rules changes are available to the public without charge in Room 247, Jim Thorpe Bldg. during normal business hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday. They are also available on the commission's Internet home page: http:// www.occeweb.com

Inquiries concerning the rulemaking should be made to Marchi C. McCartney, deputy general counsel, at telephone (405) 521-4466; by mail to PO Box 52000-2000, Oklahoma City, 73152-2000 or E-mail at m.mccartney@occemail.com

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