News Release
DEQ Unveils New Online Environmental Compliance Training for Underground Tank Operators
10/19/2009
For More Information
Seth Hendrix
DEQ Underground Storage Tank Unit
406-444-1416
shendrix@mt.gov
HELENA, Montana - The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Underground Storage Tank Program has introduced a groundbreaking training and compliance tool for the 888 owners and operators of Montana fueling facilities. Visit www.TankHelper.mt.gov for a demonstration of this exciting new service.
"TankHelper II helps protect Montana’s clean and healthy environment and provides small business with a unique and valuable training option,” said Redge Meierhenry, DEQ Underground Storage Tank Program Supervisor. "The service is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which allows owners and operators to complete their training at a time that is convenient for them."
TankHelper II is a free internet-based program that generates a customized, video-based training session for owners and operators that translates complex underground petroleum storage tank rules into simple, easy-to-understand lessons. The service presents tank owners and operators with a series of training videos specific to their facility and/or operator category. The training videos are followed by lesson quizzes that test the owner’s knowledge of their tank systems.
After the owner completes their training, TankHelper II generates a training certificate as well as a customized, printable management plan. This plan guides facility operators through the actions they will need to take to stay environmentally safe and in regulatory compliance, based on their individual storage tank system.
TankHelper II is an improved version of the original TankHelper service that launched in January of 2006. Built to meet the requirements of the 2005 Energy Act, TankHelper II provides the necessary training required in each state by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 2005 Energy Act dictates that owners and operators of underground storage tank facilities must be fully trained by August 8, 2012 however the DEQ has implemented an earlier deadline of August 8, 2010.
TankHelper II is the result of an alliance between state government and the private sector. It was cooperatively developed and is supported by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Underground Storage Tank Program, the Montana Department of Administration's Information Technology Services Division, and Montana Interactive, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment provider NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).
It is available for free at www.Tankhelper.mt.gov. For more information on TankHelper II, call the Department of Environmental Quality Underground Storage Tank Program at 444-5300.
### END ###
