As you all know, seeking education and certification for those who install, repair, and close UST's has been a long time goal for contractors who sought education, held insurance, and were concerned about the long term strength of their job.  Many times, these same contractors were bidding against those who were flying by the seat of their pants, throwing down cheap prices, and doing so, largely, because they often cut corners and did not carry insurance.  Well the playing field has now been leveled substantially.  As of January 16, 2012 those who supervise installations, repairs, and closures of UST Systems must obtain certification by July 16, 2012. 

On January 12-13, 2012, ALPEC held an UST Installation, Repair, and Closure (IRC) Education Course.  Auditing this course was ADEM's Chief UST Compliance Officer, Lee Davis and Curt Johnson from the Compliance Section.  Also attending were Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality's UST Chief, Lynn Chambers and Jeff Rhemann, a MDEQ Environmental Scientist. 

We have reciprocity between Mississippi and Alabama with UST-IRC education.  ALPEC's certification program has been  approved as an education source for Mississippi's UST Program.  Those seeking UST-IRC certification in Mississippi must take Mississippi's state specific exam.

Many years of work and preparation have gone toward achieving UST Certification.  ALPEC sought for a viable program that would benefit the owner, contractor, environment, and consumer.  I feel this goal has been achieved. 

ALPEC's founding members, past and present board, and education committee should be congratulated for their hard work.  We also recognize ADEM's Chief Compliance Officer, Lee Davis, for his work standing behind, pressing on toward the goal, and closing this project.  ADEM's UST Chief Sonya Massey and Officer Curt Johnson have also stood behind this project, along with the Alabama UST Trust Fund Management Board who has, for several years, encouraged UST certification and recognized education as being an asset in protecting the Trust Fund.  P & CMA has worked with ALPEC in joining contractors and owners to ensure a program that works.

Doug Maze of M & W Equipment Company, who has elected President of ALPEC in 2010 and re-elected in 2011 on your behalf, has met with John Hartmann and made a trip to Mississippi the successful effort of gaining retired UST Chief Compliance Officer Kevin Henderson as our UST-IRC instructor and coordinating reciprocity with Mississippi.

Our next class will be February 20-21, 2012, in Saraland (near Mobile).  Please register early as our last class had only 2 remaining openings available when the class started.