NJDEP SRP - Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program (UHOT)

Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program (UHOT)

Homeowner’s Guide to the Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program (UHOT)

Introduction

The Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program allows pre-qualified environmental professionals to investigate and remediate certain low risk unregulated heating oil tanks, including residential fuel oil underground storage tanks, with limited DEP oversight subject to possible audit. Under the Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program, DEP has established criteria for the pre-qualification of environmental professionals. The criteria have been designed to identify individuals whom, by virtue of education and experience, can be assumed to be sufficiently competent and trustworthy to participate in the Program.

Process

A party remediating a qualifying Unregulated Heating Oil Tank may apply to the DEP for participation in the Program only after the remediation has been completed.

Homeowners may select any pre-qualified environmental professional listed in the Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program Directory, which is available at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/unregulatedtanks/uhot_directory.pdf [pdf 93 Kb]

To obtain an NFA under the Program, a pre-qualified environmental professional or the homeowner shall submit the following to the DEP:

A completed Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program Questionnaire.
A “Certification Statement,” signed by the remediating party, stating that they have personally examined and are familiar with the information submitted therein and all attached documents. A "Certified Statement" must also be signed by the pre-qualified environmental professional stating that all work performed up to the date of the submission has been conducted under the direct on-site supervision and oversight of the pre-qualified environmental professional and was performed in compliance with the Technical Requirements and other applicable standards, and that the property or AOC meets the eligibility criteria for the Program.
A non-refundable certified check in the amount of $400, payable to the “Treasurer, State of New Jersey”
A copy of all appropriate Remediation Documents prepared in accordance with the reporting requirements contained in Technical Requirements for Site Remediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E)

Please note: The Program will accept sites (cases) which undergo all aspects of remediation (soil and ground water) on Unregulated Heating Oil Tanks with certain exceptions listed at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/unregulatedtanks/uhot_guidance.htm#excluded.

For more information for environmental professionals, please visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/unregulatedtanks/professionals.htm

Changes to the Questionnaire

Updated 7 July 2009
Changes have been made to the Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program Questionnaire. This questionnaire should be used for ALL unregulated heating oil tank cases.

Important Notices regarding the Unregulated Heating Oil Tank Program

Posted 25 June 2009

On September 17, 2009 an examination for obtaining certification for individuals and business firms providing services on unregulated heating oil tank systems in any of the categories listed in N.J.A.C. 7:14B-16.5 will be given. All applications for the September 17, 2009 tests must be received by July 15, 2009.

Certification in Subsurface Evaluation will have greater significance within the next 6 months as DEP will be begin enforcing the provisions of N.J.A.C. 7:14B-16, which will require all individuals and firms performing remediation activities on regulated and unregulated tanks to hold a Certification in Subsurface Evaluation.

The Department is providing the following one-time alternative to the aforementioned education requirement:

An otherwise qualified applicant who does not hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, but has at least 14 years of full-time professional experience investigating and remediating discharges from unregulated heating oil tank systems, of which at least five years shall have occurred in New Jersey immediately prior to submission of the application, may take the examination. The applicant shall meet all other requirements as provided in the N.J.A.C. 7:14B-16.5. An applicant who does not satisfactorily complete the examination authorized pursuant to this subsection shall not be authorized to reapply for certification. Applications for examination can be obtained from the Department's Bureau of Exams and Licensing by calling (609)777-1013.