Hot Environmental Topics

NJDEP Grant for Leaking Underground Oil Tanks (LUST)

May 27, 2020 9:00:00 AM / by Tiffany Byrne


New Jersey has a grant program available if you removed your underground oil tank and soil contamination above the NJ standards are present. Eligible applicants can request reimbursement for tank removal costs and future remediation expenses. There are, however, some stipulations that you must be aware of first before you can begin your application.

The NJ Economic Development Authority (EDA) makes the determination on the applications eligibility for the grant award. To be considered for the grant the following must exist:

  • It must be an underground oil tank. For the tank to be considered an underground oil tank it must be at least 10 % underground.
  • Taxable income of no more than $250,000 and a personal net worth, exclusive of applicant's primary residence, employer-sponsored pension and traditional retirement accounts such as 401K’s and IRA’s, of no more than $500,000.
  • You must use a licensed oil tank removal company to remove the oil tank and provide soil sampling.
  • Must own tank at time of removal and home must be primary residence.

Those applicants not meeting the criteria for financial hardship will not be considered for the grant program.

The application itself is detailed and applicants need help filling out the application and acquiring the attachments. The NJDEP Grant application requires information including the site address, case number, tank removal company and information regarding your insurance coverage. Below is an example of what should be filled out:

  1. Application (3 Pages) – (if a section does not pertain to your site, please mark N/A). Note on the first page of the application the total amount requested is blank; this will be completed upon receipt of all paid invoices and the final amount of the remediation is determined.
  2. Attachment A (1 Page)- sign in the presence of a notary
  3. Attachment B (1 Page)- sign in the presence of a notary
  4. Attachment C is for Non-Profit Organizations.
  5. Attachment D (Information on the tank removal date and company that provided the tank removal)
  6. Attachment E (if it pertains to you and your property)
  7. Attachment F (if it pertains to you and your property)

Once your application is filled out, receipts and lab data are included and the application is notarized, it is ready to send to the NJDEP.

The following is a general overview of what you can expect about the timing and costs for the grant process.

Grant applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received and are approved as funding allows. The NJDEP Bureau of Contract & Fund Management will review the proposal for compliance with their rate structure. The NJDEP Bureau of Contract & Fund Management will also determine if the scope of work is acceptable, which validates the cost structure. Upon completion of its review, the NJDEP will forward eligible application to the NJEDA.

New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)

After the NJEDA has received notification from the NJDEP accepting the scope of work, the NJEDA will send you, directly, an application packet to be completed and returned to the NJEDA. The NJEDA will then review your application and determine eligibility for the program based on your financial situation. You will need to submit a $250.00 (nonrefundable) application fee. You will be notified of their findings. Curren does not have an estimated timeframe for the review process, but in the past it has ranged from 2 to 4 years.

Once the NJEDA has approved your application, you then send the approval to the company that assisted you with the application.

More information can be located at the NJDEP

Curren Environmental has over 15 years experience with the NJDEP EDA LUST grant program, helping homeowners in New Jersey with tank leak problems. Surprisingly we find many eligible applicants are unaware or misunderstand the grant program and very few environmental companies actually explain the program to their tank removal clients. If you want to know your options and get expert advice call Curren.Call Curren Today

Tiffany Byrne

Written by Tiffany Byrne

Subscribe to Email Updates

Lists by Topic

see all

Posts by Topic

see all

Recent Posts