The Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade & Closure Fund
(UST Fund) is a grant and loan program administered jointly by the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey
Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). The UST Fund provides financial
assistance for both leaking and non-leaking underground storage tanks. The
non-leaking component of the UST Fund is administered by the NJEDA.
Information about this program is available on NJEDA's web-site at http://www.njeda.com,
or by contacting their Customer Care Representative at (609) 7774898. The
leaking tank component of the UST Fund is co-administered by the NJDEP and
the NJEDA. Information about this program is available on NJDEP's web-site
at http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/finance/ustfund
or by calling (609) 777-0101.
NON-LEAKING TANKS
The non-leaking tank program provides grants for reimbursement for
removal and replacement of unregulated home heating oil tanks. The amount
reimbursed for tank removal is capped at $1,200.00. The amount reimbursed
for tank replacement is $1,800.00 and the replacement tank must be an
Above Ground Tank (AST), to the maximum extent feasible, to qualify for
tank replacement funding.
LEAKING TANKS
Financial assistance for eligible applicants who have leaking
underground storage tanks includes grants and low interest loans for the
reasonable costs associated with the remediation of the discharge that
occurred from the leaking tank. Loans are capped at $2,000.000.00 and
grants are capped at $500,000.00, with the exception of properties located
within certain state designated planning areas.
ELIGIBILITY
The UST Fund is open to both regulated and non-regulated underground
storage tank owners and operators. Eligible applicants include homeowners,
corporations, non-profit groups, voluntary fire, ambulance, first aid,
emergency, rescue companies or squads, independent institutions of higher
education, and public entities. Different eligibility requirements apply
to the different categories of applicants.
In order to be considered for a grant from both the non-leaking and
leaking programs an applicant must have a net income of less than
$250,000.00, and a net worth of less than $500,000.00, excluding the
applicant's primary residence and employer sponsored pension. Being below
thee threshold amounts does not guarantee an applicant a grant, but it
does get the applicant evaluated for a grant. Whether the applicant
receives the offer of a grant, a loan or a combination of the two, is
determined by each individual applicant's financial situation.
IMPORTANT FACTS
- Applicants performing remediation of a leaking UST at their primary
residence can perform the work and submit an application to the UST
Fund afterwards. If the remediation is being performed at a secondary
property, the application must be submitted, and received by the
NJDEP, prior to work commencement.
- Applicants must enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the
NJDEP. The MOA is an agreement to pay NJDEP Case Manager oversight
costs, costs that are not covered by the UST Fund. Applicants must
also pay an application fee to the NJEDA; $250.00 for homeowners and
$500.00 for regulated tank applicants.
- Applicants must use a NJDEP certified contractor when performing UST
related removal and remediation work. A list of certified contractors
can be found at http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/index.htm/
- Applicants must make claims against their homeowner's insurance
policy, and/or, tank service agreements prior to making application to
the UST Fund. The UST Fund, by law, is the funding source of last
resort for such remedial costs.
- QUESTIONS:
- NON-LEAKING TANK PROGRAM - NJEDA - (609) 777-4898
- LEAKING TANK PROGRAM - NJDEP - (609) 777-0101
Posted July 6, 2007
