Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s office put out the following release today:
Assemblywoman Paulin’s oil storage bill to allow Westchester County to impose higher penalties for violations of Petroleum Bulk Storage regulations was reported out of the Committee on Environmental Conservation today.
The bill will be voted on in the Assembly in the next few weeks.
Just yesterday in White Plains, hundreds of gallons of heating oil spilled into the Bronx River parkway. The spill stretched from south of Main Street in White Plains to Crane Road in Scarsdale. County officials traced the leak to a nearby apartment building.
Currently most counties in New York are able to fine up to $37, 500 for such a violation, but Westchester (and 4 other local counties) is only able to fine up to $1,000. Assemblywoman Paulin’s bill would bring Westchester, Cortland, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk, in line with the rest of the state for such violations.
Under Westchester’s sanitary code, it is unlawful for anyone to discharge petroleum — which includes heating oil — unless the discharge is specifically in accordance with a permit issued by the state.
“If this bill had already been law, the county would be able to hold the alleged violators responsible for up to $37,500, instead of just $1,000,”said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, “Aligning the county’s fine with the rest of the state will encourage those who store oil to take extra precautions to make sure the oil does not spill and pollute the environment,” she said.
In addition to providing an incentive to comply with the bulk storage laws, the bill will bring in additional revenue to the county, thereby reducing already tax-burned residents.