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Small-scale owners and operators of underground petroleum storage tanks can receive state assistance in removing them if they agree to cease operations.
According to Lara Beck of the Indiana Development Finance Authority, the state legislature approved funding last session to help small motor fuel distributors meet Environmental Protection Agency mandates to remove or replace outdated fuel storage tanks by the end of 1998.
"Senate Enrolled Act 158 was passed to aid small, mom-and-pop petroleum distributors to meet the federal mandates to close old, leaking storage tanks," Beck said.
Under the state program, an owner of a motor fuel distribution business may apply for a grant from the Underground Storage Tank Guaranty Fund if they meet the following guidelines:
• The owner has an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 for the last five years,or is a nonprofit corporation;
• The owner owns and operates not more than 12 underground tanks;
• The owner is in compliance with all state and federal regulations governing underground storage tanks and are current on all registration fees, and;
• The owners verified that the grant will be used to remove or close the underground storage tanks and not to be used to upgrade the tanks, and that they will not be involved in the distribution of motor fuels after the tanks have been closed and removed.
"I encourage any tank owner wishing to obtain these funds to apply quickly. They will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis," Beck said. "Wednesday was the first day we began accepting applications and there was a line outside my office."
Grant applications can be obtained from the IFDA, One N. Capital Street, Suite 320, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
