New Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program Announced by DEP
November 8, 2007
Lucinda Bryant

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced it is enforcing an Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Act Amendment to require contractors performing work on unregulated tanks to be certified.  The NJDEP is creating a program to pre-qualify professionals to investigate and remediate Unregulated Heating Oil Tanks. 

While a certification program is ongoing, the NJDEP will allow individuals holding a valid New Jersey Underground Storage Tank (UST) Certification in Subsurface Evaluation and employed by a firm holding the same certification to perform work on unregulated tanks.  The initial deadline for application for certification has been extended through this year.  This program is expected to have the same benefits as the Cleanup Star Program, that is, expedited site assessments, cleanup, and case closure.  However, starting on November 19, 2007, Unregulated Heating Oil Tank cases will no longer be eligible under the Cleanup Star Program.

The program will accept cases that undergo all aspects of remediation (soil and ground water) with the exception of:
1. Cases where the discharge results in ground water contamination beyond the owners property boundaries;
2. Cases that require engineering controls;
3. Cases where the discharge requires a vapor intrusion investigation;
4. Cases with surface water and/or wetlands discharges;
5. Cases with an Immediate Environmental Concern condition as defined by the DEP;
6. Cases that will be remediated to an Alternative Remediation Standard;
7. Cases where a variance from the Technical Requirements is requested;
8. Cases where remediation will be conducted under New Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit by Rule Authority.

For complete information of the qualification criteria and terms of the program see NJDEP New Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program.