N.D. Commissioner Notes Anhydrous Tank Lock Requirement Now in Effect

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman announced that the anhydrous tank lock requirement is now in effect and outlined how anhydrous dealers and farmers should request reimbursement.

The tank lock pilot program, which was prompted by legislation passed in 2003, requires that all anhydrous dealers, farmers, and any owner/operator of an anhydrous nurse tank, lock the tank with an approved locking device when unattended.

The North Dakota Insurance Department asks that all individuals in either Williams or McKenzie Counties who are seeking reimbursement for the purchase of approved locking devices for an active nurse tank(s), provide the following information by April 30, 2004:

* Name of nurse tank owner,
* Address of nurse tank owner,
* Serial number of the nurse tank, and
* Proof of purchase, such as a sales receipt.
The above information should be submitted, in writing to:

Beth Innis, Auditor
Williams County
205 East Broadway Avenue
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, N.D. 58801-6123
Phone: (701)-577-4500

The Insurance Department has secured $13,000 in Homeland Security funds and $13,000 from the McKenzie and Williams County Farm Bureaus through Nodak Mutual Insurance to reimburse those who have purchased locks. Only requests received by April 30, 2004 will be considered for reimbursement. It should be noted that reimbursements will be made after the deadline and after all requests have been received.

Poolman said, “It is absolutely imperative that those requesting reimbursements include a serial number with their request. We do not want to pay for locks that are not needed, as our reimbursement funds are limited. We hope that we will be able to match a serial number with a lock so that we are not purchasing more than one lock per tank.”

A list of vendors who sell the approved locking devices is available by request by calling 701.328.9600 or at the Department’s Web site at: http://www.state.nd.us/ndins/pdf/296/lockvendors.pdf.