Cheyenne, Wyo – On Tuesday, April 23, 2019, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) honored several employees who have given dedicated service to the department and the State of Wyoming.
Oma Gilbreth, Storage Tank Program (STP) Compliance Supervisor for the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD), was named the 2018 DEQ Public Servant of the Year.
“This award is more for the Storage Tank Program than it is for myself,” said Gilbreth. “The compliance section, along with the help of the remediation section, have worked hard with industry to attain such high compliance rates, and for that I am grateful.” The STP regulates the installation and operation of regulated storage tank systems (filling stations and other similar facilities) and oversees cleanup at sites impacted by leaking tanks to protect Wyoming’s land and groundwater from contamination.
On June 28, 2018, former Governor Matt Mead signed the Wyoming Solid and Hazardous Waste Division Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1 Storage Tank Program, Storage Tanks. These rules were developed in response to the first major revision to the federal tank rules in almost thirty years. Gilbreth was instrumental to the development and promulgation of these rules.
“The previous year has been challenging for the program and industry due to the recent regulatory changes,” added Gilbreth. “Fortunately, most of the industry in Wyoming has complied with the new requirements.”
“In addition to his work on the new rules, Oma is recognized as a national expert,” said Luke Esch, SHWD Administrator. “He was appointed to the National Work Group on Leak Detection Evaluations, and his peers in other states routinely contact him with technical and regulatory questions.”
Also this past December, Gilbreth was mentioned in the Colorado/Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association newsletter in the article, WY DEQ STP Working Hard to Assist Tank Owners:
Gilbreth’s efforts demonstrated how tank owners are performing well in meeting the new regulations…with due credit given to the DEQ STP for their tremendous outreach and advocacy with tank owners.
“Oma and the Storage Tank Program have a great reputation within the regulated community and their efforts have led to Wyoming being a perennial leader in national compliance rates,” added Esch.
In addition to Gilbreth’s award, several other employees were recognized for their work within the divisions:
DEQ Team Award: Water Quality Lab
Abandoned Mine Lands: Marcia Murdoch
Administration: Steve Girt
Air Quality: Amber Potts
Industrial Siting: Joe Hunter
Land Quality: Brian Goodnough
Water Quality Division: Andrea Summers
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