This report is prepared by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) pursuant to paragraphs I.1 and I.2 of Item 363 of the state budget (Chapter 665, 2015 Acts of Assembly).

During the 2015 Session, the Budget Bill (Chapter 665, 2015 Acts of Assembly) included in Budget Item 363 a directive to DEQ to form a stakeholder working group to

"advise the Department regarding current guidance and policy governing the cleanup of petroleum releases. The review shall determine: a) if the Department's present guidance is being applied uniformly across regional offices, b) the adequacy of the Department's guidance with respect to the Commonwealth's groundwater protection regulations and the Department's technical regulations regarding petroleum spill remediation; and c) the appropriate deductibles for homeowners."

DEQ posted a notice on Virginia’s Regulatory Town Hall in June 2015 seeking interested persons to participate on this representative stakeholder group, known as the “Leaking Heating Oil Tanks Cleanup Program Stakeholder Group." The members of the Leaking Heating Oil Tanks Cleanup Program Stakeholder Group (Stakeholder Group) included environmental consultants, representatives from trade groups, the real estate/banking/financial sector, state agencies, and private citizens. Members of the Stakeholder Group are listed in Attachment A.

The Stakeholder Group met on July 15, August 3, and September 3, 2015 to discuss current guidance and policy governing the cleanup of petroleum releases and review a) if the Department's present guidance is being applied uniformly across regional offices, b) the adequacy of the Department's guidance with respect to the Commonwealth's groundwater protection regulations and the Department's technical regulations regarding petroleum spill remediation; and c) the appropriate deductibles for homeowners.