Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund

State Water Resources Control Board · State of California

At a glance

Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund is an open California state grant opportunity from the State Water Resources Control Board (State of California). Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Individual awards are listed as up to $1M, with $1M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include business and individual. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Opened: Jan 1, 1989
Close date: Ongoing
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: $1,000,000
Est. total funding: $1,000,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: Other — The UST Cleanup Fund is funded via a storage fee collected in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 25299.41, 25299.42, 25299.43.
Matching funds: Not Required
Funding method: Reimbursement(s) — The UST Cleanup Fund reimburses reasonable and necessary costs for corrective actions related to corrective actions related to unauthorized releases from petroleum USTs upon receipt of acceptable invoices and supporting information from the claimant.
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: 6 years
Expected award announcement: Ongoing
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Not applicable. The Fund reimburses eligible corrective action costs statewide.
How to submit: Online: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ustcf/docs/fund_gto/092914_claim_application_instructions.pdf
Latest change note: There is a FY21/22 proposal for an additional $200 million from the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (USTCF) on a onetime basis for reimbursing costs associated with clean-up of contamination from leaking petroleum underground storage tanks.

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Business
Individual

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

The Fund Application requests information necessary to determine eligibility for reimbursement of corrective action costs. Eligible applicants must be a current or past owner or operator of the UST from which an unauthorized release of petroleum has occurred and be required to undertake corrective action as directed by the regulatory agency. Certain small home heating oil tanks that have had an unauthorized release of petroleum are also eligible.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

The Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Fund's mission is to (1) establish a mechanism to meet Financial Responsibility requirements for owners and operators of petroleum USTs, and (2) reimburse eligible corrective action costs incurred in the cleanup of contamination resulting from the unauthorized release of petroleum from USTs.

Description

The UST Cleanup Fund provides a means for petroleum UST owners and operators to meet the federal and state requirements of maintaining financial responsibility to pay for damages arising from unauthorized releases from their petroleum USTs. The Fund assists a large number of small businesses and individuals by providing reimbursement for expenses associated with the cleanup of leaking USTs.

Program page on the agency site ↗

How to apply

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Read the program guidelinesThe agency's solicitation or guidelines set eligibility details, scoring criteria and required documents. Open ↗
Confirm eligibility and fitCheck your organization type and location (see Geography above).
Find out how to submitOnline: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ustcf/docs/fund_gto/092914_claim_application_instructions.pdf Open ↗
Request letters of support and partner commitmentsPartners need time to write and sign letters; ask early.
Finish a full draft of the application and budgetFollow the guidelines' format exactly; state programs often require specific forms and attachments.
Ask the program contact any questions earlyBridget Freeborn · Bridget.Freeborn@waterboards.ca.gov Open ↗
Internal review and sign-offLeave time for leadership or board approval and a final proofread.
Submit while funds remainSubmit a few days early and keep your submission confirmation.

Past applications & awards

Historical data · not a prediction

Reported by the agency for this listing

Fiscal year 2025–2623 applications · 15 awards
Fiscal year 2024–2518 applications · 11 awards
Fiscal year 2023–2438 applications · 18 awards
Fiscal year 2022–2350 applications · 14 awards
Fiscal year 2021–2235 applications · 0 awards
Fiscal year 2020–2135 applications · 0 awards

Counts as published on the California Grants Portal. Award counts can read zero until decisions are announced.

Awards published: 43
Total awarded: $84,180,360
Median award: $1,732,500 calculated
Smallest – largest: $266,275 – $4,999,998

Recipients by type: Other Legal Entity (30), Individual (12), Public Agency (1)

Areas served: Los Angeles County (10), Contra Costa County (3), San Mateo County (3), Madera County (2), Mendocino County (2), San Bernardino County (2), Alameda County (2), Placer County (2), Orange County (2), Sonoma County (2), Humboldt County (2), San Diego County (2)

Largest awards to organizations

Daniel F. Williams Co. Inc.Williams Manufacturing (Former)$4,999,998 · FY 2023–24
Anadite California Restoration TrustFormer Anadite South Gate Facility$4,733,000 · FY 2023–24
Temple Tunas Group, LLCFormer Sweds Cleaners$4,417,742 · FY 2023–24
Eric Realty, Inc.Eric Realty Property, Former Aboveground Storage Tank$3,456,198 · FY 2022–23
HWV Ventures, LPPacific Services Dry Cleaners$3,429,622 · FY 2023–24
1431 & 1433 Huntington Drive LLCFashion Master Drycleaner$2,990,000 · FY 2024–25
Valeteria, LLCValeteria Dry Cleaners/Twohig Property$2,981,629 · FY 2024–25
Eric Realty, Inc.Eric Realty Inc.$2,916,902 · FY 2023–24
2005 Marian A. Ghera TrustGhera Property$2,908,804 · FY 2022–23
Melody and Gary Hanna Trust Dated October 22, 2022Ventura Muffler and Brake$2,713,000 · FY 2022–23

Source: California Grants Portal grant award data. Awards to individuals are counted but not named. Past awards show who was funded; they do not predict future decisions.

Program contact (as published)

Bridget Freeborn
Bridget.Freeborn@waterboards.ca.gov
1-916-341-5771

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Business and Individual. It adds: “The Fund Application requests information necessary to determine eligibility for reimbursement of corrective action costs. Eligible applicants must be a current or past owner or operator of the UST from which an unauthorized release of petroleum has occurred and be required to un…” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund”?

Per the notice, individual awards are listed as up to $1m and total estimated program funding is $1,000,000.

How do I apply for “Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund”?

Applications go directly to State Water Resources Control Board, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ustcf/docs/fund_gto/092914_claim_application_instructions.pdf. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

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