(a)  For the purposes of promoting health, safety, or general welfare, and in order to effect uniform regulation within the state for regulating underground storage tanks as defined in § 46-12.1-2, the cities and towns may adopt, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, ordinances providing for the regulation and control of underground storage tanks as defined in § 46-12.1-2, and establishing procedures for the registration, testing and removal of such underground tanks.

(b)  The purpose of this chapter is to protect public health from the contamination of public and private water supplies due to leakage from such facilities, to protect public safety from the dangers of fire and explosion associated with such leakage, and to protect the general welfare by preserving limited water supplies for present and future use.

(c)  Ordinances shall be, as far as possible, consistent with state regulations and in no case shall be less stringent than state rules and regulations.