(a) Support.--The board may employ or contract for the personnel necessary to process fee payments, to administer claims made against the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund, to administer the Upgrade Loan Program and other programs authorized by this act and to carry out the purposes of the board. The board may also employ or contract for the services of attorneys, consultants and actuaries necessary to advise the board in establishing fees under subsection (d) and deductible amounts under subsection (c).

(b) Claims.--The board shall establish procedures by which owners, operators and certified tank installers may make claims for costs estimated or incurred in taking corrective action and for liability due to bodily injury and property damage caused by a sudden or nonsudden release from underground storage tanks. Claims determined to be eligible shall be paid upon receipt of information clearly showing that reimbursable claim costs are reasonable, necessary and directly related to the release from the storage tank that is the subject of the claim. The board, by regulation, may establish a system for prioritizing claims.

(e) Payment of fees.--Fees established for the owner of the tank under subsection (d)(1) through (4) shall be paid by the owner of the tank unless a written agreement between the owner and the operator provides otherwise. Fees established for certified tank installers under subsection (d)(1) shall be paid to the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund or to the intermediaries so designated by the board. Intermediaries located outside the territorial boundaries of this Commonwealth may collect and remit fees upon proof that a performance bond has been secured and maintained in an amount of $1,000,000. A person who fails or refuses to pay the fee or a part of the fee by the date established by the board may be assessed a penalty of 5% of the amount due which shall accrue on the first day of delinquency and be added thereto. Thereafter, on the last day of each month during which any part of any fee or any prior accrued penalty remains unpaid, an additional 5% of the then unpaid balance shall accrue and be added thereto. A financial institution holding a mortgage or security interest on property containing an underground storage tank may with the owner or operator request the board to notify the financial institution in the event the owner or operator does not pay the fees required by this section by the date specified by the board. Notice of nonpayment to the financial institution or payment of an owner or operator's fee shall not constitute the assumption of any corrective action liability on the part of a financial institution.

(e.1) Upgrade Loan Program.--The board shall establish policies, procedures and forms as may be necessary and appropriate in order to administer the Upgrade Loan Program established in section 712.¹

(f) Additional powers.--The board shall have additional powers as may be necessary to carry out its duties under this act, including, but not limited to, the following: