W.Va. Tank Registration Tally: 45,500 and Growing

  State environmental officials have tallied more than 45,500 aboveground storage tanks as a deadline passed to register them.

Officials say they’re still registering thousands more.

In Charleston on Wednesday, tank owners questioned the state Department of Environmental Protection about upcoming steps. DEP’s stakeholder meeting is covering proposed rules for a new law regulating aboveground tanks.

The law reacts to a January chemical spill that contaminated 300,000 people’s tap water for days. It includes new tank registrations, inspections and requirements. Many specifics are spelled out in proposed agency rules.

One would ease initial inspections for tanks that don’t hold hazardous materials, contain less than 50,000 gallons or aren’t near water supplies. First inspections are due Jan. 1.

An informational session will follow Thursday at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg.