Section 3737.88 - Underground storage tank program and corrective action program for releases(A)(1) The fire marshal shall have responsibility for implementation of the underground storage tank program and corrective action program for releases of petroleum from underground storage tanks established by the "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976," 90 Stat. 2795, 42 U.S.C.A. 6901, as amended. To implement the programs, the fire marshal may adopt, amend, and rescind such rules, conduct such inspections, require annual registration of underground storage tanks, issue such citations and orders to enforce those rules, enter into environmental covenants in accordance with sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code, and perform such other duties, as are consistent with those programs. The fire marshal, by rule, may delegate the authority to conduct inspections of underground storage tanks to certified fire safety inspectors.(2) In the place of any rules regarding release containment and release detection for underground storage tanks adopted under division (A)(1) of this section, the fire marshal, by rule, shall designate areas as being sensitive for the protection of human health and the environment and adopt alternative rules regarding release containment and release detection methods for new and upgraded underground storage tank systems located in those areas. In designating such areas, the fire marshal shall take into consideration such factors as soil conditions, hydrogeology, water use, and the location of public and private water supplies. Not later than July 11, 1990, the fire marshal shall file the rules required under this division with the secretary of state, director of the legislative service commission, and joint committee on agency rule review in accordance with divisions (B) and (C) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code.(3) Notwithstanding sections 3737.87 to 3737.89 of the Revised Code, a person who is not a responsible person, as determined by the fire marshal pursuant to this chapter, may conduct a voluntary action in accordance with Chapter 3746. of the Revised Code and rules adopted under it for either of the following:(b) A release, other than a class C release, that is subject to the rules adopted by the fire marshal under division (B) of section 3737.882 of the Revised Code pertaining to a corrective action, provided that both of the following apply: (i) The voluntary action also addresses hazardous substances or petroleum that is not subject to the rules adopted under division (B) of section 3737.882 of the Revised Code pertaining to a corrective action.(ii) The fire marshal has not issued an administrative order concerning the release or referred the release to the attorney general for enforcement. The director of environmental protection, pursuant to section 3746.12 of the Revised Code, may issue a covenant not to sue to any person who properly completes a voluntary action with respect to any such release in accordance with Chapter 3746. of the Revised Code and rules adopted under it.
(B) Before adopting any rule under this section or section 3737.881 or 3737.882 of the Revised Code, the fire marshal shall file written notice of the proposed rule with the chairperson of the state fire council, and, within sixty days after notice is filed, the council may file responses to or comments on and may recommend alternative or supplementary rules to the fire marshal. At the end of the sixty-day period or upon the filing of responses, comments, or recommendations by the council, the fire marshal may adopt the rule filed with the council or any alternative or supplementary rule recommended by the council.(C) The state fire council may recommend courses of action to be taken by the fire marshal in carrying out the fire marshal's duties under this section. The council shall file its recommendations in the office of the fire marshal, and, within sixty days after the recommendations are filed, the fire marshal shall file with the chairperson of the council comments on, and proposed action in response to, the recommendations.(D) For the purpose of sections 3737.87 to 3737.89 of the Revised Code, the fire marshal shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules identifying or listing hazardous substances. The rules shall be consistent with and equivalent in scope, coverage, and content to regulations identifying or listing hazardous substances adopted under the "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980," 94 Stat. 2779, 42 U.S.C.A. 9602, as amended, except that the fire marshal shall not identify or list as a hazardous substance any hazardous waste identified or listed in rules adopted under division (A) of section 3734.12 of the Revised Code.(E) Except as provided in division (A)(3) of this section, the fire marshal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the storage, treatment, and disposal of petroleum contaminated soil generated from corrective actions undertaken in response to releases of petroleum from underground storage tank systems. The fire marshal may adopt, amend, or rescind such rules as the fire marshal considers to be necessary or appropriate to regulate the storage, treatment, or disposal of petroleum contaminated soil so generated.(F) The fire marshal shall adopt, amend, and rescind rules under sections 3737.88 to 3737.882 of the Revised Code in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.Amended by 135th General Assembly, HB 33,§101.01, eff. 10/3/2023.Amended by 130th General Assembly, SB 3,§1, eff. 9/17/2014.Amended by 130th General Assembly, HB 59,§101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.Amended by 129th General Assembly, SB 294, §1, eff. 9/5/2012.Amended by 129th General Assembly, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.Amended by 129th General Assembly, SB 171, §1, eff. 6/30/2011.Effective Date: 07-01-1993; 12-30-2004