Deadline Extended for Changes to Heating Oil Storage Tanks

People who have single-walled steel oil tanks for heating oil located outside their home have until December 31, 2010 to have them registered. This is the result of an amendment to the Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) regulations that will delay the adoption of the most recent version of the CSA-B139 code until January 2011. The new code prohibits the installation of single-walled steel tanks for heating oil located outside a home, and requires the use of double-walled steel tanks, or better.

"We recognized the difficulty that the June deadline would have for many individuals and companies in terms of compliance, so we began the task of amending our regulations to delay its adoption until 2011," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "That process is now complete. The delay in the adoption of the code will allow sufficient time for inspectors to become familiar with the changes to the code, and manufacturers and wholesalers of storage tanks will also have an opportunity to change production schedules, sell current inventories and adjust future supplies based on the new code requirements."

The new code will not affect homeowners who have already registered their tanks and upgraded or replaced their oil tank systems to meet the current standard. However, people who have single-walled steel tanks for oil storage outside a dwelling now have until December 31, 2010 to get them installed and/or registered. After that date, the new code requirements will be in place.

"We recognize the many homeowners who have complied with the deadline for oil tank registration in the province, as well as those who have an agreement in place with oil companies," said Minister Johnson. "The amendment will help the number of homeowners who had purchased single-wall tanks and were not able to have them registered by June 1, 2010 when the code changed nationally. They will now be able to have these tanks registered, if done by the new deadline date."

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 domestic oil spills in the province has been reduced since the introduction of the regulations.

For more information, please call 709-729-2556, 1-800-563-6181, or visit www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_protection/petroleum.html. 

- 30 -

Media contact:
Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca 

2010 10 04                                                   10:20 a.m.