STATEMENT FROM DEP SECRETARY HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR. REGARDING GOVERNOR SCOTT’S APPROVAL OF HB 7093

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

STATEMENT FROM DEP SECRETARY HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR. REGARDING GOVERNOR SCOTT’S APPROVAL OF HB 7093

"During the past two years, the department has undertaken an extensive overhaul of the state-funded Petroleum Restoration Program, which is a taxpayer funded program designed to cleanup petroleum contamination from leaking underground storage tanks. The department has transitioned the program to be more open and competitive, ensuring the Petroleum Restoration Program is operated in a manner that promotes greater transparency for future site cleanups. Governor Scott’s approval of this important legislation will provide more fiscal accountability for expenditures, lower the cost of site rehabilitation and focus rehabilitation activities on those sites that pose the greatest risk to human health and the environment. The program empowers the department to cleanup sites more quickly, at a better value to taxpayers and without lowering any standards of environmental protection."