Welcome to the State Water Resources Control Board Welcome to the California Environmental Protection Agency
Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund - Payment Forms and Information

Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund - Payment Forms and Information


Once the claim is determined eligible and funding is available, a Letter of Commitment (LOC) is issued. The claimant will receive a copy of the LOC and a reimbursement request package. This package will include information and forms that are needed to complete the reimbursement request. The Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (Fund) reimburses eligible corrective action costs paid or incurred for cleanup work performed after January 1, 1988, that was the result of an unauthorized release of petroleum from a underground storage tank (UST) that caused contamination of soil and/or groundwater. The Fund does not cover the removal, repair, retrofit or installation of USTs. Funds are disbursed only after costs are actually incurred.

Corrective action costs include preliminary site assessment, soil and water investigations, corrective action implementation and verification monitoring after the cleanup is completed.

The Fund also reimburses third-party compensation claims for amounts awarded by a court-approved settlement agreement, final judgment, or arbitration award by a court-appointed arbitrator.  The first $1,000,000 (less the deductible) for an eligible Fund claim may be used to satisfy third party compensation claims as well as corrective action and regulatory technical assistance costs.  Once a claimant has been reimbursed this amount, an additional $500,000 per occurrence is available and may be used to reimburse reasonable corrective action and regulatory technical assistance costs.  The additional $500,000 cannot be used to reimburse third party claims. (See Section 2812.5 of the Fund regulations.)

Claimants are not entitled to double payment on account of any corrective action or third party compensation costs. Claimants are required to identify, under penalty of perjury, all funds received that relate to or are paid in consideration of the UST release that is the subject of the claim. The claimant must identify funds from any source including insurance claims, legal judgments, contributions from other potentially responsible parties, or any other source, regardless of how the funds are characterized.