Chapter Comm 10 Changes in the Environmental and Regulatory Services Division

As reported in earlier issues of this newsletter, a comprehensive update is currently underway in the ERS Division for the Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter that addresses storing, transporting and dispensing flammable, combustible and hazardous liquids.

These liquids, such as gasoline, are an important and sometimes essential element in enhancing our daily life. However, the liquid and vapor phases of these products migrate very easily, which can and has resulted in serious fire, environmental, and health-exposure risks and damage.

In September of this year, the Legislature's Assembly committee on Natural Resources, and Senate committee on Commerce, Utilities and Rail favorably completed their review of our final draft of the new chapter Comm 10. Later that month the Department adopted the final draft, and we now expect the new rules will be published in the end-of-November issue of the Wisconsin Administrative Register. The rules will then have a two-month delayed effective date of February 1, 2009, which will allow small businesses and others to adjust to the new rules. To help with that adjustment, we are partnering with the Wisconsin Petroleum Equipment Contractors Association to conduct a series of training sessions in January and February at several regional locations throughout the State.

View the complete rules (2.3 MB pdf) in the final, adopted form. Further information on the efforts and activities associated with this code update is available through the other topics listed in the "Public Notice"column.

-- Sam Rockweiler