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TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney that would help fund the removal and the replacement of above ground petroleum storage tanks, thereby helping to prevent soil and groundwater contamination received unanimous final legislative approval today in the Assembly.

“The purpose of this bill is to prevent ground contamination by replacing or removing the tanks before they begin leaking,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “The reality is that these tanks can begin leaking at any time, and if that happens, nearby soil and groundwater would be contaminated, leading to serious health risks for people living nearby. This is all about taking preventative measures to help protect the health and safety of local residents.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney that would fund the removal and the replacement of petroleum underground storage containers with above ground tanks, thereby helping to prevent soil and groundwater contamination was unanimously approved today by the Senate.

“This bill would provide the necessary means to allow homeowners and business owners to prevent future, very dangerous ground contamination,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “The fact is that these tanks could leak in the future. It could be the very near future, or it could be years from now, but that’s not really important. The important and dangerous thing is that by leaking, these tanks would contaminate nearby soil and ground water, and pose serious threats to public health and safety – that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”