OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

(13/P104) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection is administering a $2.375 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency which will assist owners and operators of regulated underground fuel storage tank (UST) facilities that were impacted by Superstorm Sandy, Commissioner Bob Martin announced.

The state is contributing a 10 percent match to the grant, bringing total funding to more than $2.6 million.

The federal Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund provides states with funds to investigate and cleanup discharges resulting from federally regulated USTs. New Jersey is receiving its supplemental funding through the Sandy Recovery and Improvement Act of 2013.

The DEP has targeted sites with Sandy-impacted storage tanks that may still need attention.

“These funds will allow us to conduct environmental assessments and cleanup of discharges at qualified facilities that have federally regulated USTs,” said Mark Pedersen, DEP Acting Assistant Commissioner for Site Remediation. “For commercial gas stations and marinas, where tanks were compromised due to Sandy, this grant funding may be of great assistance.”

Specific work covered by the funding includes site assessment and cleanup of discharges. Remedial systems, such as soil vapor extraction, misting and pumping systems, are covered, as are tank and soil removal, though replacement of infrastructure, soil or concrete is not.

The DEP is notifying the Marine Trades Association and facilities with federally regulated tanks in Sandy-impacted areas of the funding. Eligibility will be determined after a DEP inspection.

If you have questions regarding this grant, please contact Bruce Venner at (609) 633-0706 or bruce.venner@dep.state.nj.us