PHOENIX— Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today the launch of two programs designed to reimburse eligible underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators who incurred environmental cleanup costs for leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs).

In 2015, the Arizona legislature enacted HB 2636, which modified the ways the penny-per-gallon UST tax can be used. The penny-per-gallon tax provides funding to clean up environmental hazards created by LUSTs.

UST owners and operators who were ‘time-barred’ from submitting costs for reimbursement after the sunset of the former state assurance fund (SAF) on June 30, 2010, now have the opportunity to seek repayment by submitting a ‘UST time-barred claim’ application. Legislation allows ADEQ to provide reimbursement for eligible owners and operators of up to 90 percent of the approved cleanup costs incurred after June 30, 2010.

To be considered, all ‘time-barred’ applications must be submitted to ADEQ by Dec. 31, 2016. ADEQ urges eligible parties to act now and submit their applications before the deadline.

UST owners, operators or landowners also may be eligible for ADEQ’s UST Preapproval Program, which provides financial assistance for corrective action costs that are not being covered by a financial assurance mechanism. ADEQ will work closely with applicants to develop a cleanup plan and path to closure for their USTs.

“These two reimbursement programs provide opportunities for qualifying UST owners and operators (and, in some cases, landowners) to get part or all of their cleanup costs covered,” ADEQ Waste Programs Division Director Laura Malone said. “It is a win-win for our customers and the environment. We are encouraging those who believe they qualify for either program to review information on our website to see if they are eligible.”

To find out more about the UST Time-Barred Program, visit azdeq.gov/ust/time-barred

To find out more about the UST Preapproval Program, visit azdeq.gov/ust/preapproval