Senate passes reimbursement program to replace single‑walled petroleum piping at fueling sites

The Minnesota Senate passed House File 3298 on May 16, a bill establishing a reimbursement program to replace pressurized single‑walled steel piping used at underground petroleum storage systems.

Senator Weber told the floor that about 500 underground storage systems in Minnesota still use single‑walled steel piping and that a recent Central Minnesota release cost the Minnesota Petro Fund approximately $2 million. Under the bill, operators could receive up to $100,000 per operator for piping replacement (with a maximum of two sites per operator per year), and the program would be capped at $4,000,000 per year from the Petro Fund. The program would cover piping, necessary equipment, dirt and concrete work, and related replacement costs. Senator Weber said the bill was developed in coordination with Fueling Minnesota, the Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), and that the program carries a 10‑year sunset.

Senators spoke in support on the floor, framing the bill as an environmental-protection measure to reduce leaks and protect groundwater and noting benefits for enabling use of higher‑ethanol fuels at upgraded sites. The secretary called the final roll and announced the result as 62 ayes and 5 nays; the bill passed and the title was agreed to.

Next steps: The bill will proceed to the other chamber or reconciliation; the transcript records the program design and fiscal cap as stated on the floor.