The Department of Environmental Conservation formally announced on Friday the statewide launch of a program to help eligible homeowners cover cleanup costs relating to home heating oil spills. DEC’s Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program originally began last fall, according to a Jan. 9 press release.
Rapid responses to home heating oil tank spills are essential in preventing water and soil contamination. PPR aims to help homeowners avoid cost-related delays in spill cleanups through a one-time $450,000 state budget appropriation.
Program manager Graham Wood said in the release that PPR receives roughly 50 reports of spills from oil tanks or fuel lines every year, ranging in size from a few cups to hundreds of gallons. Since these spills are often close to homes with families, children and pets, quick and thorough cleanups are essential.
“Spills can be inconvenient and stressful for the homeowner and damaging to Alaska’s environment; they can also be very expensive to clean up,” Wood said. “Spill responders from the PPR Program have always been ready to provide technical assistance to homeowners responding to spills from their heating oil tanks and now we’re excited to offer financial support.”
The program allows homeowners who discover a spill from their heating oil systems on or after Jan. 9 to apply for department funding ranging from $13,000-17,000, depending on geographic location. Funding may also be available for older spills if the disposal and transportation of contaminated soil is necessary to close the case.
After approval, a PPR spill case manager can use the funding to purchase cleanup materials and pay for the excavation and cleanup of any contaminated soil. In November, PPR used the funding to assist with cleaning a spill in Nikiski, and paid for the disposal of 43 tons of contaminated soil.
“Recently I had the unfortunate experience of an accidental heating oil spill on my property,” a Nikiski homeowner who participated in the pilot program said in the release. “The thought of the damage and expense associated with cleanup was daunting. I notified DEC, and they acted immediately to help me tackle the problem. The project manager even found financial assistance to help ease the financial burden.
“I hope the grant program is more widely used to help encourage people to come forward sooner.”
To learn more about the program or access the eligibility and application form, visit homeheatingoiltanks.alaska.gov.
