(a) The department shall adopt regulations governing the certification of persons who install, test, close, repair, or significantly change the configuration of underground petroleum storage tanks and tank systems. The certification program shall be administered by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. In consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development shall make every reasonable attempt to ensure that opportunities for obtaining certification under this section are available throughout the state. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development shall organize presentation of national training courses that are available in the state and assist residents of isolated communities who request assistance in becoming certified. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development may contract with the University of Alaska, a vocational technical school, or a regional nonprofit organization to provide the education and testing necessary for certification.
(b) The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development shall establish fees applicable to certification under this section in an amount necessary to cover the costs of the certification program. The fees shall be collected by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
(c) Except as provided in (d) of this section, a person may not install, test, close, repair, or significantly change the configuration of an underground petroleum storage tank or tank system unless that person is certified for the appropriate activity under (a) of this section. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
(d) A person may install, test, close, repair, or significantly change the configuration of an underground petroleum storage tank or tank system without being certified under this section if
(1) the person performs the work under the direct supervision of another who is certified for that work under this section;
(2) the supervisor inspects the work performed; and
(3) after inspection, the supervisor approves the work in writing.
(e) AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) applies to regulations and certifications under this section.
(f) The department shall develop and maintain lists of persons certified under this section to perform the various activities related to underground petroleum storage tanks and tank systems. The department shall provide the lists on request to interested persons.
(g) In this section, “close” means to remove petroleum and sludges from the tanks in the tank system and either fill the tanks with inert solid material or remove, dismantle, and dispose of the tanks.