Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant (2024)

Overview

In partnership with Ohio EPA and the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR), Development helps clean up abandoned gas and service stations throughout Ohio.

The Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant provides funding to assess and clean up former gas and service stations with documented petroleum releases. Local government entities and land banks who own an eligible property or who have an agreement with the landowner may apply. The applicant and property owner cannot have contributed to the prior release of petroleum or other hazardous substances on the site.

Eligible Properties

To be eligible, a property must have been formerly used for gas station or service station operations, be vacant, and have a documented petroleum release that has been classified by BUSTR as "Class C", meaning the responsible party is not able to pay for cleanup costs. The applicant must also demonstrate that the property, in its current condition, cannot be safely and productively reused or redeveloped. Funding will be prioritized for former gas and/or service stations with the greatest potential for environmental, community, and economic impact, as determined by the application and scoring matrix.

Eligible Applicants

Political subdivisions (counties, municipal corporations, townships, port authorities, and county land reutilization corporations organized under Chapter 1724 of the Revised Code) are eligible to apply for funding through this program. If a political subdivision does not own the eligible property, the political subdivision may enter into a relevant agreement with the organization that owns the property. All applicants must certify that neither they nor the current property owner caused or contributed to any prior release of petroleum or other hazardous substances on the property.

Eligible Costs

Up to $500,000 for cleanup or remediation activities, including UST removals, cleanup of hazardous substances, demolition, and property clearance activities and up to $100,000 for property assessment activities. The program offers two types of grants: Assessment/Corrective Action and Cleanup and Remediation. The maximum Assessment/Corrective Action grant award is $250,000, and may include property assessment activities and cleanup or remediation activities. The maximum Cleanup and Remediation grant award is $500,000, and is restricted to cleanup or remediation activities. Eligible applicants may apply for both an Assessment/Corrective Action grant and a Cleanup and Remediation grant for an eligible property, but total maximum funding may not exceed $100,000 for property assessment activities and $500,000 for cleanup or remediation activities for a single eligible property.

How to apply

The application period for this program has closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my property is a BUSTR Class C?

You can check to see if your property is listed as a BUSTR Class C on theOTTER database(login not required). If it is not listed or currently listed as something other than a Class C, you’ll need to request a determination from BUSTR using the determination form. If you have questions about whether or not your property may qualify as a Class C, please contact BUSTR at (614) 752-8200.

I own a former gas station that has contamination in addition to that from the BUSTR tank(s). Is it still an eligible site?

Yes, assessment and cleanup costs for hazardous substances on BUSTR Class C sites are eligible under this program.

My property may be eligible for this program, but a petroleum release has never been documented. What can I do?

We recommend contacting BUSTR at (614) 752-8200 prior to beginning any assessment activities if a release hasn’t been documented on the site. Because of BUSTR’s statutory requirements for determining a responsible party, it is possible that a property owner who did not own or operate the tanks may be deemed responsible for the cleanup, especially if the tanks were in use during or after 1984.

My site is a Class C and has a documented petroleum release, per BUSTR, but not a VAP Phase I Environmental Assessment. What resources can help?

Ohio EPA can provide these assessments at no charge to political subdivisions and private entities who partner with political subdivisions. For more information, please contact the Site Assistance and Brownfield Revitalization staff at (614) 644-2924 or visit their webpage byclicking here.

Are county land banks eligible to participate?

Yes, county land banks are one of the political subdivisions eligible for funding through the program.

Per Ohio Revised Code 5722.22, BUSTR cannot enforce on county land banks. So, even if petroleum contamination is documented after the land bank takes title, the site will still qualify for Class C status and be eligible for the grant program.

Are there any match requirements or limits on use of funding?

No match is required, although private match will increase an application’s score. Development will not reimburse for professional fees, other than those incurred for environmental professional services. Environmental professional fees are capped at 15% for cleanup grants. Please see the application for further details.

Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant (2024)

FAQs

How much does UST cleanup cost? ›

The average cleanup is estimated to cost $154,000. If only a small amount of soil needs to be removed or treated, cleanup costs may be as low as $10,000. However, costs to clean more extensive soil contamination may exceed $154,000.

What is the abandoned gas station grant in Ohio? ›

The Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant provides funding to assess and clean up former gas and service stations with documented petroleum releases. Local government entities and land banks who own an eligible property or who have an agreement with the landowner may apply.

What are underground gasoline tanks made of? ›

Underground storage tanks (known as USTs) are large containers placed underground to hold large quantities of liquids or gases. USTs are typically constructed of Steel, Aluminum, Fiberglass or a combination of materials. They may be either single-wall or double-wall construction.

How deep are gasoline tanks buried? ›

The depths to the top of an underground storage tank can vary depending on its type and purpose. However, average top-of-tank depths are roughly 2 feet to 3 feet below the ground surface. Regardless, modern fuel tanks are stronger and have depth ratings up to 5 feet below the ground surface.

How many monthly walkthrough records are required to be kept? ›

Monthly walkthrough inspection records shall be maintained for twelve months. Records must include a list of each area checked, whether each area checked was acceptable or needed action taken, a description of actions taken to correct an issue.

What is a gas grant? ›

Gas Assistance Fund. The fund, a joint effort between SoCalGas and United Way of Greater Los Angeles, is intended to help income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bill with a one-time grant of up to $100 per household. Assistance Programs.

Does Ohio have grants? ›

There are a number of federal and state grant and loan programs that are available for Ohio businesses. Below you will find some of the current opportunities for either grant or loan funding.

Does Ohio have a state grant? ›

For students whose aid falls short, Ohio State's Buckeye Affordability Grant bridges any gaps and fulfills the spirit of the Buckeye Opportunity Program. The Pell Grant and many of our other awards are calculated based off information submitted through the FAFSA.

How many gallons is an underground gas tank? ›

A typical gasoline station has a storage capacity of 30,000 to 40,000 gallons in underground tanks. In the past, these tanks were sometimes subject to spills from overfilling and to leaks caused by corrosion. Today, station owners have taken several important steps to reduce these risks.

What is the lifespan of an underground fuel tank? ›

Just like vehicles and pieces of equipment, underground storage tanks (USTs) have a lifespan of their own and eventually need to be replaced. On average, tanks can last around 25 years. That said, if tanks are close to “retirement age” and show signs of corrosion and rust, then it's probably time to purchase new tanks.

How deep is an oil tank buried? ›

Most oil tanks are only buried about 1 to 3 feet underground. They're usually located no further than 10 feet from the home's foundation.

Is biohazard cleanup expensive? ›

Plan on an average cost of $3,000 to $5,000 to hire a biohazard cleanup company. The average customer pays $4,000 to clean up biohazardous waste in a 2,000 square foot home, such as a hoarding situation or virus decontamination.

Why is biohazard cleanup so expensive? ›

Professionals in this field face potential exposure to dangerous pathogens and toxins, necessitating comprehensive training, insurance coverage, and adherence to safety protocols. These factors contribute to higher overhead costs for biohazard cleanup companies, which are inevitably passed on to the consumers.

How much is the UST fee in Arizona? ›

A UST licensed individual will pay a nonrefundable fee of $150 initially and every two years upon renewal.

How often should UST tank lining be inspected? ›

How often are lining inspections required? An internally lined tank must be inspected within ten years after the original installation of the lining. After that, the lining must be inspected every five years.

References

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