8legs: West virginia state senate

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Lawmakers chip away at water protections as Senate moves to weaken aboveground storage tank rules

West Virginia Senate moved to weaken aboveground storage tank rules by loosening inspection and monitoring requirements.
The measure would exempt smaller tanks storing brine or fluids from oil and gas production, under 210 barrels.
Some tanks in critical zones could be inspected by owners instead of independent third parties.
Sen. Chris Rose defended the bill as regulatory relief for small producers, aiming to avoid stifling investment.
Environmental groups warned the changes could raise risks to water quality and public health.
The bill’s sponsor and supporters framed the measure as improving clarity and regulatory efficiency.
The Senate largely opposed the amendment to define which fluids could be stored in exempted tanks.
Republicans and Democrats split on the bill, with several Republicans voting against it.
The measure follows decades of exemptions from the original 2014 aboveground storage tank law.
The report was produced in partnership with Mountain State Spotlight and AP.

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