The Commercial Underground Storage Tank Reinsurance program was created by the Washington State Legislature in 1989 and began operations in September of that year.
The Legislature found that many owners and operators of underground storage tanks (USTs) could not purchase pollution liability insurance because:
- private insurance was unavailable at any cost, or
- owners and operators could not meet the rigid underwriting standards of existing insurers.
PLIA was established to provide affordable pollution liability insurance that helps owners and operators comply with the financial responsibility regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Passage of 2020 legislation ensures the continued availability of affordable insurance to Washington commercial underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators.
In the event that our partner insurers withdraw from the state’s insurance market, PLIA has the authority to temporarily operate an emergency, state-run UST financial responsibility program. Continued availability of affordable insurance allows UST owners and operators to meet federal and state regulations that protect the environment from pollution.
This legislation protects more than 2,000 small businesses statewide who might otherwise have to close due to a lapse in insurance coverage.