Senate committee backs bill to expand UST trust-fund grants for tank upgrades

A Senate committee on April 13 reported SB505 favorable after sponsors and industry witnesses described the bill as a technical clean-up to expand an existing grant program funded by the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Trust Fund.

Sponsor testimony explained the UST trust fund, which is supported by a per-gallon motor fuels assessment, finances assessment and cleanup of failed underground storage tanks. Witnesses from industry and consultants said the bill would increase the maximum grant amount (from $150,000 to $300,000 under the current proposal), permit more annual awards (about 40 grants annually under the revised limits) and speed remediation by helping owners finance upgrades to double-wall tank systems.

Todd Perry of PPM Consultants and representatives of the Louisiana Oil Marketing Association answered committee questions about program mechanics, confirming the fund is self-generated and that the change is intended to accelerate upgrades without requiring new general-fund dollars. The committee recorded no roll-call tally in the transcript and reported the bill favorable.