End of the Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Reimbursement Program

In 2007, the Legislature extended the Petroleum Storage Tank Remediation (PSTR) Fund reimbursement program for certain eligible leaking petroleum storage tank (LPST) sites to August 31, 2012, from the previous deadline of August 31, 2008. (Note that although the reimbursement program is scheduled to end, the state’s PST Program will continue to regulate underground and aboveground storage tanks and oversee the cleanup of releases.)

Requirements to Qualify for the Reimbursement Program Extension

The reimbursement program extension applies only to sites that:

• were reported to the agency on or before December 22, 1998;
• had, as of September 1, 2005:
  • progressed to either a corrective action plan or groundwater monitoring;
  • completed all previously established corrective action deadlines to the executive director’s satisfaction; and
  • submitted annual (at a minimum) progress reports that demonstrate progress towards meeting closure requirements;
• have continued to submit annual (at a minimum) progress reports since September 1, 2005; and
• are otherwise eligible for reimbursement.

Important Reimbursement Program Deadlines

The following statutory deadlines apply to the LPST sites deemed eligible for the reimbursement program extension:

• August 30, 2011, is the last day to perform reimbursable corrective action activities. This includes any report preparation or any other labor charges.
• March 1, 2012, is the last day a reimbursement claim can be received by the agency.
• August 31, 2012, is the last day the agency can pay a reimbursement claim.

Transfer of Eligible Sites to the State Lead Program

If you were deemed eligible for the reimbursement program extension and since then have submitted all required progress reports, but find that corrective actions cannot be completed by August 30, 2011, you may apply to the commission to transfer your site into the TCEQ State-Lead Program using the State Lead transfer application. Applications must be submitted in writing no later than July 1, 2011. For assistance completing the form, please refer to the State Lead transfer application instructions.