Minnesota takes over its own underground fuel tank cleanup rules

The US environmental regulators have given Minnesota final approval to run its own program for cleaning up leaking underground fuel tanks. This means the state's rules for these tanks are now legally binding and will be enforced by Minnesota, not the federal government.

For decades, states have been able to manage their own environmental programs, but they need federal approval to do so. This approval means Minnesota's specific rules for underground fuel tanks are now the law, replacing federal oversight. This shift allows the state to tailor enforcement and compliance to its local conditions, potentially making cleanups faster or more efficient.