It is very important that a tank owner close his tanks properly. This can only be done by working closely with the Environmental Field Office (EFO) staff.
If you are a property owner, proper closure of tanks will help ensure that your property is not viewed as suspect by potential buyers and lending institutions. Failure to properly close tanks could further expose any tank owner to civil or criminal liability should an accident or injury result from negligence on his/her part. Also, violations of the UST Regulations could result in civil penalties or fines against the tank owner and/or operator.
If your site is fund eligible,
certain costs associated with the clean up of any
contamination found during closure may qualify for reimbursement up to
100% above your deductible up to $1 million. Don’t forget: For assessment
and clean up costs for which you expect to be reimbursed, the work must
be performed by an Approved Corrective Action Contractor.
When conducting a closure, be sure to complete the "Closure Application" and have it approved by your local EFO before beginning any work. Once the tanks are out of the ground or properly closed in place, be sure to file an amended notification form with the State. This is the only way to stop the State’s automatic billing procedure.
Proper planning of the closure can save annual tank fee dollars! Tank fees are due if the tank is in the ground even one day during the fee year. The fee year or the billing cycle is different for each grand division of the state. To legally avoid paying tank fees for the next fee year, the tanks must be properly closed (removed or filled) before that fee year begins. If you wait until the fee year begins, fees are due for that fee year. This applies to tanks which are temporarily out of service as well as to active tanks. Failure to pay these fees will result in a 5% per month late penalty and loss of fund eligibility for the site.
Be smart. Be legal. Save dollars. Close your tanks before the next fee year begins.
Questions concerning tank closures should be addressed to the regional EFO for your area of the state.
