Underground Storage Tank (UST) Grants

ACT 277 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session authorized the Department to develop a new grant program for Underground Storage Tank (UST) owners to upgrade single wall underground storage tank systems. The ACT allows the Department to provide individual grants to UST owners that meet the following qualifications:

• The applicant must be domiciled in Louisiana
• The applicant's site must be registered with the department as a single wall underground storage tank system.
• The applicant must be in compliance with and has paid all fees assessed by applicable state laws.
• Each eligible applicant may only apply for one grant each year.

Applications are accepted each calendar.  Below are details of the application process:

1. January 1 – March 31
   1. The Applicant submits the Grant Program Application. The Application will be rejected if the Applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements or if received after March 31. Applicants may apply for only one grant each state fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
2.  April 1 – June 30
   1. The Department reviews the Application for eligibility and completeness. The Department will conduct a file review to determine if there are any outstanding violations and may conduct a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Project Facility. If the Applicant meets the eligibility requirements, the Department will prioritize the Applicant’s Project Facility using the Department’s Grant Program Prioritization Sheet.
3. July 1
   1. The Department will determine the order of funding for participation in the Grant Program for the upcoming state fiscal year as determined by the Project Facility’s Priority Score. If the Department determines the total amount of grants to be issued per state fiscal year has been met, no further funding of the Grant Program will be available for the state fiscal year.
4. Upon receipt of written approval from the Department for participation in the Grant Program, the Applicant may begin scheduling and completing the approved activities at the Project Facility. The Applicant shall complete the approved activities as soon as possible but no later than two fiscal years (July 1 – June 30) beyond the fiscal year of approval for participation in the Grant Program. Failure to complete the approved activities within two fiscal years will result in the Applicant being ineligible for reimbursement in the Grant Program.
5. The Applicant shall notify the Department prior to all installation-critical junctures and upon completion of the approved activities to allow for periodic and final inspections to document the work has been completed in accordance with the scope of work.
6. Once the upgrade and/or improvement has been completed and the Project Facility is placed into service, the Applicant must request reimbursement for the approved activities on the Grant Program Reimbursement Form. The Grant Program Reimbursement Form must also include copies of all paid invoices for the approved activities and must be completed and signed by the Applicant and a Notary Public commissioned in Louisiana. The Grant Program Reimbursement Form shall be submitted to the Department within ninety (90) days of the Project Facility being placed into service from the approved activities.
7. Upon receipt of the Grant Program Reimbursement Form, the Department will review and verify the form for accuracy and completeness. Once the Department verifies the Grant Program Reimbursement Form is complete and contains all required invoices, the Department will issue the Applicant a reimbursement checks within ninety (90) days in the amount for the approved activities not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).

Link to Rules and Regulations on DEQ's Website