Chapter 292

292.63(6s) (6s) Arbitration. Upon the request of a person who files an appeal of a decision of the department under this section, if the amount at issue is $100,000 or less, the appeal shall be heard by one or more individuals designated by the department to serve as arbitrator under rules promulgated for this purpose by the department. In such an arbitration, the arbitrator shall render a decision at the conclusion of the hearing, or within 5 business days after the conclusion of the hearing if the arbitrator determines that additional time is needed to review materials submitted during the hearing, affirming, modifying or rejecting the decision of the department. The arbitrator shall promptly file his or her decision with the department. The decision of the arbitrator is final and shall stand as the decision of the department. An arbitrator’s decision may not be cited as precedent in any other proceeding before the department or before any court. A decision under this subsection is subject to review under ss. 227.53 to 227.57 only on the ground that the decision was procured by corruption, fraud or undue means. The record of a proceeding under this subsection shall be transcribed as provided in s. 227.44 (8).

292.63(7) (7) Liability.

292.63(7)(a) (a) No common law liability, and no statutory liability which is provided in a statute other than this section, for damages resulting from a petroleum product storage system or home oil tank system is affected by this section. Except as provided in par. (am), the authority, power and remedies provided in this section are in addition to any authority, power or remedy provided in any statute other than this section or provided at common law.

292.63(7)(am) (am) An award under this section is the exclusive method for the recovery of the amount of eligible costs equal to the amount of the award that may be issued under this section.

292.63(7)(b) (b) If a person conducts a remedial action activity for a discharge at a petroleum product storage system or home oil tank system site, whether or not the person files a claim under this section, the claim and remedial action activity conducted are not evidence of liability or an admission of liability for any potential or actual environmental pollution.

292.63(7m) (7m) Intervention in 3rd-party actions. An owner or operator of an underground petroleum product storage tank system shall notify the department of any action by a 3rd party against the owner or operator for compensation for bodily injury or property damage caused by a petroleum products discharge from the underground petroleum product storage tank system if the owner or operator may be eligible for an award under this section. The department may intervene in any action by a 3rd party against an owner or operator for compensation for bodily injury or property damage caused by a petroleum products discharge from an underground petroleum product storage tank system if the owner or operator may be eligible for an award under this section for compensation awarded in the action.

292.63(9) (9) Records.

292.63(9)(a) (a) The department shall promulgate rules prescribing requirements for the records to be maintained by an owner or operator, person owning a home oil tank system or service provider and the periods for which they must retain those records.

292.63(9)(b) (b) The department may inspect any document in the possession of an owner or operator, person owning a home oil tank system or service provider or any other person if the document is relevant to a claim for reimbursement under this section.

292.63(9m) (9m) Revenue obligations.

292.63(9m)(a) (a) For purposes of subch. II of ch. 18, the petroleum storage remedial action program is a special fund program, and the petroleum inspection fund is a special fund. The petroleum inspection fund is a segregated fund created by the imposition of fees, penalties or excise taxes. The legislature finds and determines that a nexus exists between the petroleum storage remedial action program and the petroleum inspection fund in that fees imposed on users of petroleum are used to remedy environmental damage caused by petroleum storage.

292.63(9m)(b) (b) Deposits, appropriations or transfers to the petroleum inspection fund for the purposes of the petroleum storage remedial action program may be funded with the proceeds of revenue obligations issued subject to and in accordance with subch. II of ch. 18 and, if designated a higher education bond, in accordance with subch. IV of ch. 18.

292.63(9m)(e) (e) The department shall have all other powers necessary and convenient to distribute the special fund revenues and to distribute the proceeds of the revenue obligations in accordance with subch. II of ch. 18 and, if designated a higher education bond, in accordance with subch. IV of ch. 18, and to make payments under an agreement or ancillary arrangement entered into under s. 18.55 (6) with respect to revenue obligations issued under this subsection.

292.63(9m)(f) (f) The department may enter into agreements with the federal government or its agencies, political subdivisions of this state, individuals or private entities to insure or in any other manner provide additional security for the revenue obligations issued under this subsection.

292.63(9m)(g) (g)

292.63(9m)(g)1. 1. Subject to the limitation under subd. 2., the building commission shall contract revenue obligations under this subsection, as soon as practicable after October 29, 1999, in the maximum amount that the building commission believes can be fully paid on a timely basis from moneys received or anticipated to be received.

292.63(9m)(g)2. 2. Revenue obligations issued under this subsection may not exceed $386,924,000 in principal amount, excluding any obligations that have been defeased under a cash optimization program administered by the building commission. In addition to this limit on principal amount, the building commission may contract revenue obligations under this subsection as the building commission determines is desirable to fund or refund outstanding revenue obligations, to pay issuance or administrative expenses, to make deposits to reserve funds, to pay accrued or capitalized interest, and to make payments under an agreement or ancillary arrangement entered into under s. 18.55 (6) with respect to revenue obligations issued under this subsection.

292.63(9m)(h) (h) Unless otherwise expressly provided in resolutions authorizing the issuance of revenue obligations or in other agreements with the owners of revenue obligations, each issue of revenue obligations under this subsection shall be on a parity with every other revenue obligation issued under this subsection and in accordance with subch. II of ch. 18 and, if designated a higher education bond, in accordance with subch. IV of ch. 18.

292.63(9m)(i) (i) Recognizing its moral obligation to do so, the legislature expresses its expectation and aspiration that, if the legislature reduces the rate of the petroleum inspection fee and if the funds in the petroleum inspection fund are insufficient to pay the principal and interest on the revenue obligations issued under subch. II or IV of ch. 18 pursuant to this subsection, the legislature shall make an appropriation from the general fund sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the obligations.

292.63(10) (10) Penalties.

292.63(10)(a) (a) Any owner or operator, person owning a home oil tank system or service provider who fails to maintain a record as required by rules promulgated under sub. (9) (a) may be required to forfeit not more than $5,000. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate offense.

292.63(10)(b) (b) Any owner or operator, person owning a home oil tank system or service provider who intentionally destroys a document that is relevant to a claim for reimbursement under this section is guilty of a Class G felony.

292.63 History History: 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 31, 254, 255; 1991 a. 39, 82, 269; 1993 a. 16, 301, 416, 491; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3665 to 3683m, 9116 (5); 1995 a. 227, 247, 378, 417; 1997 a. 27, 35, 237, 252, 283; 1999 a. 9, 185; 2001 a. 16, 109; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 75; 2007 a. 20, 145; 2009 a. 28, 240; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20 ss. 1634 to 1706; Stats. 2013 s. 292.63; 2013 a. 173 s. 33; 2015 a. 55.

292.63 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 747, Wis. adm. code.

292.63 Annotation That the commingling of contaminants from separate tanks was below DNR clean-up levels did not eliminate the fact that commingling can still occur resulting in one occurrence under sub. (1) (cs). Mews v. Department of Commerce, 2004 WI App 24, 269 Wis. 2d 641, 676 N.W.2d 160, 03-0055.

292.63 Annotation The proceeds of general obligation bonds may be used to fund awards under this section. 81 Atty. Gen. 114.

292.64 292.64 Removal of abandoned underground petroleum storage tanks.

292.64(1) (1) In this section:

292.64(1)(a) (a) “Backfill” does not include landscaping or replacing sidewalk, asphalt, fence, or sod or other vegetation.

292.64(1)(b) (b) “Underground petroleum product storage tank system” has the meaning given in s. 292.63 (1) (i).

292.64(2) (2) The department may contract with a person registered or certified under s. 168.23 to empty, clean, remove, and dispose of an underground petroleum product storage tank system; to assess the site on which the underground petroleum product storage tank system is located; and to backfill the excavation if all of the following apply:

292.64(2)(a) (a) The department determines that the underground petroleum product storage tank system is abandoned.

292.64(2)(b) (b) Using the method that the department uses to determine inability to pay under s. 292.63 (4) (ee), the department determines that the owner of the underground petroleum product storage tank system is unable to pay to empty, clean, remove, and dispose of the underground petroleum product storage tank system; to assess the site on which the underground petroleum product storage tank system is located; and to backfill the excavation.

292.64(3) (3) If the department incurs costs under sub. (2), the department shall record a statement of lien with the register of deeds of the county in which the underground petroleum product storage tank system was located. Upon recording the statement of lien, the department has a lien on the property on which the underground petroleum product storage tank system was located in the amount of the costs incurred. The property remains subject to the lien until that amount is paid in full to the department. The department shall deposit payments received under this subsection into the petroleum inspection fund.

292.64 History History: 2009 a. 28; 2013 a. 20 s. 1707; Stats. 2013 s. 292.64; 2013 a. 173.

292.65 292.65 Dry cleaner environmental response program.

292.65(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

292.65(1)(b) (b) “Case closure letter” means a letter provided by the department that states that, based on information available to the department, no further remedial action is necessary with respect to a dry cleaning product discharge.

292.65(1)(d) (d) “Dry cleaning facility” means a facility for cleaning apparel or household fabrics for the general public using a dry cleaning product, other than a facility that is one of the following:

292.65(1)(d)1. 1. A coin-operated facility.

292.65(1)(d)2. 2. A facility that is located on a U.S. military installation.

292.65(1)(d)3. 3. An industrial laundry.

292.65(1)(d)4. 4. A commercial laundry.

292.65(1)(d)5. 5. A linen supply facility.

292.65(1)(d)6. 6. A facility that is located at a prison or other penal institution.

292.65(1)(d)7. 7. A facility that is located at a nonprofit hospital or at another nonprofit health care institution.

292.65(1)(d)8. 8. A facility that is located on property that is owned by the federal government or by this state or that is located on property that was owned by the federal government or by this state when the facility was operating.

292.65(1)(d)9. 9. A formal wear rental firm.

292.65(1)(e) (e) “Dry cleaning product” means a hazardous substance used to clean apparel or household fabrics, except for a hazardous substance used to launder apparel or household fabrics.

292.65(1)(ek) (ek) “Formal wear” includes tuxedos, suits and dresses, but does not include costumes, table linens and household fabrics.

292.65(1)(em) (em) “Formal wear rental firm” means a facility that rents formal wear to the general public and dry cleans only the formal wear that it rents to the general public.

292.65(1)(g) (g) “Groundwater” has the meaning given in s. 281.75 (1) (c).

292.65(1)(gm) (gm) “Immediate action” means a remedial action that is taken within a short time after a discharge of dry cleaning product occurs, or after the discovery of a discharge of dry cleaning product, to halt the discharge, contain or remove discharged dry cleaning product, or remove contaminated soil or water in order to restore the environment to the extent practicable and to minimize the harmful effects of the discharge to air, lands, and waters of the state and to eliminate any imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare.

292.65(1)(gs) (gs) “Interim action” means a remedial action that is taken to contain or stabilize a discharge of a dry cleaning product, in order to minimize any threats to public health, safety, or welfare or to the environment, while other remedial actions are being planned.

292.65(1)(gv) (gv) “Launder” means to use water and detergent as the main process for cleaning apparel or household fabrics.

292.65(1)(h) (h) “Operator” means any of the following:

292.65(1)(h)1. 1. A person who holds the license under s. 77.9961 (2) for a dry cleaning facility.

292.65(1)(h)2. 2. A subsidiary or parent corporation of the person specified under subd. 1.

292.65(1)(h)3. 3. A person who operated a dry cleaning facility that ceased operating before October 14, 1997.

292.65(1)(h)4. 4. A person who operated a dry cleaning facility that ceased operation after October 13, 1997, but that was licensed under s. 77.9961 (2) before it ceased operation.

292.65(1)(i) (i) “Owner” means any of the following:

292.65(1)(i)1. 1. A person who owns, or has possession or control of, and who receives or received direct or indirect consideration from the operation of, any of the following:

292.65(1)(i)1.a. a. A dry cleaning facility that is licensed under s. 77.9961 (2).

292.65(1)(i)1.b. b. A dry cleaning facility that has ceased operation but that, if it ceased operation on or after October 14, 1997, was licensed under s. 77.9961 (2) before it ceased operation.

292.65(1)(i)2. 2. A subsidiary or parent corporation of the person specified under subd. 1.

292.65(1)(i)3. 3. A person who owns the property on which one of the following is located:

292.65(1)(i)3.a. a. A dry cleaning facility that is licensed under s. 77.9961 (2).

292.65(1)(i)3.b. b. A dry cleaning facility that has ceased operation but that was licensed under s. 77.9961 (2) before it ceased operation and was licensed and operating while the person owned the property.

292.65(1)(j) (j) “Program year” means the period beginning on July 1, and ending on the following June 30.

292.65(1)(L) (L) “Service provider” means a consultant, testing laboratory, monitoring well installer, soil boring contractor, other contractor or any other person who provides a product or service for which an application for reimbursement has been or will be filed under this section, or a subcontractor of such a person.

292.65(1)(m) (m) “Subsidiary or parent corporation” means a business entity, including a subsidiary, parent corporation or other business arrangement, that has elements of common ownership or control or that uses a long-term contractual arrangement with a person to avoid direct responsibility for conditions at a dry cleaning facility.

292.65(3) (3) Duties of the department.

292.65(3)(a) (a) The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of the program under this section.

292.65(3)(am) (am)

292.65(3)(am)1. 1. The department shall establish a method for determining the order in which it pays awards under this section. Except as provided in subd. 2., the method shall be based on environmental factors and on the order in which applications are received.

292.65(3)(am)2. 2. The department shall pay an award for immediate action activities before it pays other awards.

292.65(3)(b) (b) The department shall promote the program under this section to persons who may be eligible for awards.

292.65(3)(c) (c) The department shall allocate 9.7 percent of the funds appropriated under s. 20.370 (6) (eq) in each fiscal year for awards for immediate action activities and applications that exceed the amount anticipated.

292.65(3)(d) (d) The department shall keep records and statistics on the program under this section and shall periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

292.65(3)(e) (e) No later than January 1, 2002, the department shall complete a review of the program under this section and shall submit a report on the results of the review to the joint committee on finance and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, as determined by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate, under s. 13.172 (3). The report shall include the department’s recommendations for changes to the program. The review shall include consideration of whether the program should be expanded or ended, whether the program should be incorporated into a broader program of financial assistance for the remediation of environmental contamination and whether private insurance coverage should be required for any dry cleaning facilities.

292.65(4) (4) Process; eligibility.

292.65(4)(a) (a) General requirements. To be eligible for an award under this section, the owner or operator of a dry cleaning facility shall comply with pars. (b), (c), (e), (f) and (j) and the other requirements of this section applicable to the owner or operator.

292.65(4)(b) (b) Report. An owner or operator shall report a dry cleaning product discharge to the department in a timely manner, as provided in s. 292.11.

292.65(4)(c) (c) Notification of potential claim.

292.65(4)(c)1. 1. An owner or operator shall notify the department, before conducting a site investigation or any remedial action activity, of the potential for submitting an application for an award under this section, except as provided in subd. 2.

292.65(4)(c)2. 2. Subdivision 1. does not apply to an owner or operator who began a site investigation or remedial action activity before October 14, 1997.

292.65(4)(d) (d) Information from department. When an owner or operator notifies the department under par. (c) 1., the department shall provide the owner or operator with information on the program under this section and the department’s estimate of the eligibility of the owner or operator for an award under this section.

292.65(4)(e) (e) Investigation. After notifying the department under par. (c) 1., if applicable, and before conducting remedial action activities, an owner or operator shall complete an investigation to determine the extent of environmental impact of the dry cleaning product discharge, except as provided in pars. (g) and (h).

292.65(4)(f) (f) Remedial action plan. After completing the investigation under par. (e) and before conducting remedial action activities, an owner or operator shall prepare a remedial action plan, based on the investigation under par. (e), that identifies specific remedial action activities proposed to be conducted, except as provided in pars. (g) and (h).