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HD 517

An Act relative to the remediation of home heating oil releases

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jake Oliveira and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill establishes remediation framework and liability standards for residential heating oil contamination to facilitate cleanup and property transfers statewide.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 517

Legislative bill overview

HD 517 establishes a framework for cleaning up residential properties contaminated by heating oil releases, addressing a significant environmental problem in Massachusetts where thousands of homes rely on oil heating systems. The bill likely creates liability protections, funding mechanisms, and remediation standards for property owners dealing with soil and groundwater contamination from leaking underground storage tanks.

Why is this important

Heating oil contamination poses health risks through groundwater pollution and vapor intrusion into homes, potentially affecting property values and preventing property transfers. Massachusetts has an estimated 400,000+ homes using heating oil, making cleanup liability a substantial burden for homeowners who may face remediation costs reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability allocation: Determining whether current owners, prior owners, or oil suppliers bear cleanup costs and to what extent
  • Funding mechanisms: Whether the state provides financial assistance, creates insurance requirements, or relies entirely on private remediation
  • Remediation standards: How clean is "clean enough"—stricter standards mean higher costs but greater environmental/health protection
  • Timeline and enforcement: Whether deadlines exist for cleanups and how violations are penalized

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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