Environmental
UST Removal Reimbursement Program
This
program provides reimbursement funding for UST removal at small gasoline retail
facilities.
The
legislation makes individuals or facilities meeting the definition of a
"small gasoline retailer" eligible for reimbursement funds if tank
removal occurred after Jan. 1, 1996. Previously, small gasoline retailers were
eligible for reimbursement funds only if their tanks were removed after Jan. 1,
1997.
The
new legislation expanded the definition of a small gasoline retailer to include
facilities that dispense motor fuel to watercraft. When the reimbursement
legislation was originally passed, a small gasoline retailer was defined as:
"an
individual or facility that owned or operated only one location where motor
fuel was dispensed into motor vehicles or aircraft; operated a tank at that
location; and dispensed less than 500,000 gallons during the last year
petroleum products were dispensed to the public at that location."
A small gasoline retailer may also be
eligible for tank removal reimbursement funds if:
- the
applicant owns only one location in Minnesota or any other state where
motor fuel was dispensed into motor vehicles, watercraft or aircraft while
the location was owned by the previous owner but did not dispense
motor fuel at that location;
- the
previous tank owner or operator at the location was a small gasoline
retailer who dispensed less than 500,000 gallons of motor fuel (during the
last year in which petroleum products were dispensed to the public at that
location); and
- the
applicant acquired legal or equitable title to the property after Jan. 1,
1996.
Also, small business owners have been made
eligible for up to 90 percent reimbursement for tank removal costs if they:
have no more than $250,000 in
sales per year;
own only one facility where fuel
was dispensed to the public into motor vehicles;
did not dispense motor fuel at
that location;
own tanks that were never
registered with the state; and
removed the tanks on or after
Jan. 1, 1998.
Questions
about eligibility for reimbursement should be directed to the Petrofund office
at the Minnesota Department of Commerce (phone 651/297-1119).
Used Oil
and Used Oil Filter Collection
August 1, 2000
TO: MEMBERS COLLECTING USED OIL AND FILTERS
RE: PCA CERTIFICATION AND DEPT OF REVENUE REBATE
In 1997, the Minnesota
State Legislature required that a list be compiled of business locations that
accept used oil and oil filters from the public at no charge. Their
goal is to have at least one free non-government drop-off site in every county
and in every city with a population of 1500 or more. As an incentive, the
Legislature authorized the MN Dept of Revenue to give a $250 tax refund to the
first 200 qualifying business locations. As of 7/31/00, the MN Dept of Revenue
has not reached the 200 locations.
To participate in this
program the business must:
- Accept used oil and used oil filters from any person of
no more than 5 gallons of oil or 5 filters per day at no charge.
- Allow the PCA to publish the location name and address
as a free drop off site.
- Control access when the site is closed. (Lock the
doors)
The Legislature established
a Used Oil Reimbursement Fund to cover the cost of disposing of contaminated
oil that has to be handled as a hazardous waste. If a business listed with the
PCA as accepting used oil and filters at no charge were to unknowingly take in
oil that contaminated what was already in the tank, the Fund would reimburse
100% of the disposal costs.
The first step is for the
business location to be on the PCA list of free drop off sites. Please call for
the sign-up form so that we can make sure your site gets on the PCA list.
When the PCA receives your
sign-up form, they will send you a certification form for you to fill out and
return to them. The PCA sends the forms to the MN Dept of Revenue for the
potential $250 annual tax refund.
This memo is in response to
the many members requesting more information and clarification of the program
after a phone survey conducted in July. Thank you for your interest and
participation in this program.
Sincerely,
Maria E. Gobely
Director of Member Services