meet the demand to supply materials and inspect and
install systems.
"We recognize that many homeowners experienced
difficulty trying to make the necessary upgrades or replacements to
their heating oil tanks because of the winter weather," said the
Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation.
"An extension to the March 31 deadline will allow for favourable weather
conditions for the completion of such work. The new July 31 deadline
will also allow industry the time to deal with the increased demand for
inspecting and replacing heating oil systems."
The Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST)
Regulations, 2003 were developed in consultation with industry and
the general public, following a record number of domestic heating oil
spills in 2001. The number of heating oil spills dropped to 29 incidents
last year, down from 604 in 2001.
"Being prudent and responsible in terms of registering
home heating oil tanks is not simply about the homeowners� property
protection, but it�s about protecting neighbours� property as well,"
said Minister Johnson. "The cost of upgrading or replacing an oil tank
is far less than remediating a spill. The environmental cost is also
reduced each time we mitigate such an adverse event. I encourage
homeowners to continue in their efforts and work with industry to meet
the July 31 deadline."
The delivery of heating oil to unregistered systems
after the July 31 date will be illegal, as homeowners will not be
permitted to use unregistered tanks.
A number of individuals have been licensed by the
Department of Environment and Conservation to inspect and register home
heating oil tanks. For more information, including a list of companies
with licensed inspectors, visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/psm or call
709-729-0948 or 1-800-563-6181.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
2009 03 23 11:40 a.m.
