Underground Storage Tank Program

Fiscal Year 2013 grants have been awarded. Further funding available July 1, 2013.

The goal of the program is to assist in replacing, or upgrading, tanks which otherwise might leak and cause adverse impact to the environment. In many cases this means prioritizing funds to those applicants with the lowest incomes who otherwise would not have the financial resources to accomplish the tank replacement. As the program has grown additional funding has been provided by Statutory changes, both in the total funds appropriated and the per grant allowance. Commensurate with these changes the procedures for allocating those funds has changed.  These procedures evolve as interest in the program grows.  

Environmental risk and household income are the two main considerations for allocation of funds, as set forth in Statute.  Applications are generally only made for those tanks which present some level of risk, all applicants hoping to avert a future disaster.  Income, therefore, becomes the deciding factor.  Over the years there has been a need to reduce the maximum household income level which qualifies for grant funding.

Applicants meeting the income range, below, will be offered a grant equal to the full cost of the replacement, up to the $2000 limit. These applicants will be expected to seek quotes for the job in an effort to keep reasonable. A mimimun of three, competitive, bids is required.

Higher income applicants, up to $50,000, will be offered a grant not to exceed $1000, with no requirement to provide bids for the work.

Applications showing an income higher than $50,000 will be considered as funds allow.  Similarly, a lower priority status will be given to applications: 1) where the heating source is no longer fuel oil or kerosene and the grant is sought for removal of the tank only;  2) where the tank replacement has been previously accomplished and the work has been paid for already.

Applicants showing a household income greater than $75,000 will continue to be denied grant funding. Any application for work paid for prior to 6 months before the application is made will not be considered for reimbursement funding.

How to Apply for a Grant

In addition to the application form applicants must provide:

• proof of home ownership (a property tax bill or deed), and
• full household income. Income should be demonstrated via a Federal Income tax filing (1040, EZ, A) where possible, SSI statements or other forms of proof are acceptable when Federal Income tax forms are not filed.

The Petroleum Cleanup Fund (PCF) offers grants to residential tank owners towards the removal, replacement, or upgrade of underground storage tanks (USTs) used to heat a residence located in Vermont. The PCF also offers grants to tank owners towards the removal, replacement, or upgrade of aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) used to heat a residence located in Vermont.

The Department of Environmental Conservation may grant up to $2000 per applicant. The grant program covers USTs and aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and is capped at $300,000 per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). In order to obtain the grant, tank owners must complete an application and submit it to:

The new application is the same for both AST and UST - please indicate at the top of the application what kind of tank you are REMOVING. The grant application for UST removal requires that a site assessment be performed - otherwise the process is identical.

AST Rules, effective October 2011

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Updated April 2013