State Help for Oil Tank Cleanup: The UST Fund Explained
When people learn what a cleanup might involve, the next question is whether the state helps pay. There is a fund. It is important to read what the state says about it before counting on it.
What the fund is
According to the NJDEP’s homeowner FAQ, the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Fund, known as the UST Fund, was established by a law signed on August 30, 1997. It sits within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and is administered jointly with the DEP. It was created to give financial assistance to eligible owners and operators of leaking petroleum underground storage tanks.
The catch
The department says that new applications for leaking unregulated underground storage tanks, which includes all residential heating oil tanks, continue to be accepted and acknowledged but are not being reviewed or processed at this time because of insufficient funds. They are date stamped when received and processed when funding becomes available. When we read the page, it said there was a 3.5 year wait on new applications.
The FAQ adds that, effective May 3, 2011, the fund no longer accepts or processes applications for non-leaking tanks.
Because this page changes, always check the current wording on the NJDEP homeowner FAQ before you plan around it.
Where to ask
The NJDEP lists an email, srp_ustfund_gq@dep.nj.gov, and a phone number, 609-984-2076, for questions about the fund.
What else to check
Your homeowner’s insurance may or may not respond. Ask before work starts. See Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Oil Tank Removal in NJ?.
Why finding a tank early helps
Money questions are easier before a leak than after one. Finding and dealing with a tank early, before oil is released, is usually the least disruptive path. See Why Finding an Oil Tank Early Matters.
To find out whether your property has a tank, call Oil Tank Scan NJ at 732-673-1584 about a sweep.
