(a) Procedure.--The owner or operator of an existing or proposed aboveground tank facility shall provide written notification to the local municipality and county in which the aboveground tank facility is situated or to be located prior to submitting an application for an aboveground storage permit to construct or reconstruct an additional aboveground storage tank at the aboveground storage tank facility or construct a new aboveground storage tank facility. This chapter shall not apply to aboveground storage tanks with a capacity equal to or less than 21,000 gallons.

(b) Public hearings.--Upon submission to the department of the permit application to construct any new aboveground tank facility, the department may hold a public hearing in the municipality or county in which the aboveground tank facility is proposed to be located. The department shall publish the permit application in the Pennsylvania Bulletin upon receipt of the permit application and provide not more than a 60-day comment period.

(c) Public comment on aboveground storage tank permit.--The department shall publish the aboveground storage tank facility permit application in the Pennsylvania Bulletin upon receipt of the permit application and provide a 30-day comment period for new aboveground storage tank facilities.