(a) When the commissioner finds upon investigation that any provisions of this chapter are not being carried out, and that effective measures are not being taken to comply with this chapter, the commissioner may issue an order for correction to the responsible party, and this order shall be complied with within the time limit specified in the order. The commissioner may issue an order to a responsible party to close the UST system under its ownership or control or use the petroleum underground storage tank fund to permanently close the UST system and seek cost recovery if the commissioner determines:

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 68-215-114

  • Commissioner: means the commissioner of environment and conservation, the commissioner's authorized representatives, or in the event of the commissioner's absence or a vacancy in the commissioner's office, the deputy commissioner. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • Department: means the department of environment and conservation. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • Person: means any and all persons, including individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, public or private institutions, state and federal agencies, municipalities or political subdivisions, or officers thereof, departments, agencies or instrumentalities, or public or private corporations or officers thereof, organized or existing under the laws of this or any other state or country. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • Petroleum: means crude oil or any fraction of crude oil which is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure (sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60°. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • Petroleum site: means any site or area where a petroleum underground storage tank is located. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • Petroleum underground storage tank: means any one (1) or combination of tanks (including the underground lines connected thereto) which are used or have been used to contain an accumulation of petroleum substances, and the volume of which (including the volume of the underground pipes connected thereto) is ten percent (10%) or more beneath the surface of the ground. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • Responsible party: means :
    (i) The owner and/or operator of a petroleum site. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • State: means the state of Tennessee. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • Tank: means a stationary device, designed to contain an accumulation of petroleum substances which is constructed primarily of non-earthen materials (e. See Tennessee Code 68-215-103
  • UST system: means an underground storage tank, connected underground piping, underground ancillary equipment and containment system, if any. See Tennessee Code 68-215-201
  • Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) That the tank system has not been brought into compliance within six (6) months of being prohibited from receiving petroleum pursuant to § 68-215-106(c); or
(2) That all fees, penalties, and interest have not been paid on a tank at the time tank fees for the following year are payable.
(b) Such order shall be made by personal service or shall be sent by certified mail. Investigations made in accordance with this section may be made on the initiative of the commissioner, including any violation of this chapter or regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter. Prior to the issuance of any order or the execution of any other enforcement action, the commissioner may request the presence of an alleged violator of this chapter to a meeting to show cause why enforcement action ought not be taken by the department. Any person may request a meeting with the department to discuss matters pertaining to petroleum underground storage tanks.
(c) Responsible parties shall be liable to the state for costs of investigation, identification, containment and cleanup, including monitoring and maintenance, as provided in this chapter. Owners and/or operators of petroleum underground storage tanks with respect to releases eligible for fund reimbursement shall be liable for all costs not covered by the fund. Petroleum site owners with respect to releases eligible for fund reimbursement shall be secondarily liable for all costs not covered by the fund. All other owners and/or operators of petroleum underground storage tanks and petroleum site owners shall be liable for all costs, as provided in this chapter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this section shall prevent the reimbursement of expenditures for investigation, identification, containment and cleanup, including monitoring and maintenance incurred by tank owners and operators or petroleum site owners pursuant to § 68-215-111.