Maine farmers to benefit from new law
Maine farmers could save thousands of dollars because of a new U.S. law that eases certification rules for maintaining oil and gas tanks.
President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act into law, which includes cost-saving measures for farmers across the country, according to a press release. The act was co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine.
The law includes a provision that exempts farms with aggregate above-ground storage of 2,500 gallons or less of oil or gas from having to hire a certified engineer to design a spill prevention control plan. It also exempts them from having to purchase new equipment. Another provision allows farmers with above-ground storage of between 6,001 and 20,000 gallons of oil or gas to certify their own spill prevention plans, without the need to hire an engineer.
The requirements to design a spill prevention plan and purchase new equipment is being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which King’s office said is largely meant to target large-scale oil companies. The farm provision of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act is meant to remove the rule’s potential impact on small farmers.
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