USTIF is a unique program that helps clean up leaks from underground fuel tanks and protects the environment, business owners, and communities across the Commonwealth so that these leaks do not turn into long-term problems.
Gas stations and other businesses that store fuel and other regulated substances in tanks buried underground can suffer tank leaks. When these tanks leak, those substances can pollute the soil and groundwater, which can harm people, animals, and the environment.
USTIF, a special fund that operates similar to a small insurance company, provides a way for gas stations or industrial sites owners to pay to clean up areas, fix tanks, and mitigate any damage caused by the leak.
“USTIF has helped keep our residents safe and our environment clean,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “At PID, we’re proud to administer and oversee the fund. The Department will continue to ensure the fund remains financially strong so that it can help tank owners and operators shoulder the financial burden and mitigate environmental harm in the event of a leak.”
To participate in the fund, business owners with underground tanks pay either a small fee based on the capacity of their tanks or a gallon fee on deliveries, depending on the substance.
When a spill occurs, these business owners can file a claim through PID that covers up to $1.5 million to assist with the clean up.
USTIF also reimburses participants for the costs associated with identifying the extent, nature and impact of leak, while also reimbursing for costs for developing and implementing a remedial action plan for restoring the site.
"This fund has played an important role over the last 30 years in protecting our environment,” said Deputy Insurance Commissioner Laura Lyon Slaymaker. “Thanks to USTIF and its team, residents are less likely to be impacted when a leak occurs, minimizing the threat of polluted groundwater and soil. Most importantly, tank owners now have the necessary funding to rectify the issue and ensure a leak of this nature doesn’t occur in the future.”
USTIF has handled 7,728 eligible claims and made over $1.3 billion in indemnity payments to its eligible participants since the fund began in 1994.
Through annual allocations, USTIF also funds several DEP underground storage tank programs, including its enforcement and inspection activities.
In 2024, USTIF reported its lowest new claim volume in 30 years due, in part, to ongoing implementation of DEP spill prevention regulations.
“There are over 20,000 regulated underground storage tank systems in communities across Pennsylvania. These systems are critically important to the Commonwealth’s transportation, energy, and industrial sectors. When the unexpected happens, USTIF works with facility owners and DEP to protect Pennsylvanians and the environment,” said DEP Executive Secretary Ramez Ziadeh.
The claims process is simple and a decision on the claim occurs in a timely manner.
When a leak does occur, a claims representative is assigned to the case and typically contacts the tank owner within one business day.
From there, a formal investigation begins, which includes documenting the initial release into the environment and recorded statement from the tank owner.
Once complete, an eligibility determination is sent in writing to the tank owner.
“As a result of the USTIF being established 30 years ago, thousands of tank remediations have been funded, which creates a safer environment for all,” said Andrew Greiner, a USTIF board member. “It has been an honor to work with a group of individuals who care about our environment just as much as they care about helping others. Our team looks forward to advancing efforts that result in a cleaner Commonwealth.”
Visit the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund webpage to learn more about this program.
Click Here for the Insurance Department/DEP announcement.
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - July 12 to 18 - Uncontrolled Shale Gas Wastewater Release For 34 Hours; Abandoned Conventional Wells Top 300; 107 New Brownfield Sites [PaEN]
-- Courier Times: Bucks County Residents, Sen. Santarsiero Say DEP Isn’t Doing Enough To Make Energy Transfer/Sunoco Define The Extent Of Petroleum Pipeline Leak And Clean It Up [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - July 19 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On 4 Water Quality Permits For Texas Eastern Appalachia To Market 3 Natural Gas Pipeline Upgrade Project In Adams And York Counties [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Sets July 31 Hearing On Requests To Withdraw Millions Of Gallons Of Water Per Day, Including 11 For Shale Gas Development, 2 Gas Power Plants [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 103 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In July 19 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- List Of More Than $90 Billion In Energy, A.I. Data Center Investments, Commitments Or Plans Announced At The PA Energy & Innovation Summit [PaEN]
-- NewsClips - PA Energy & A.I. Summit Pittsburgh July 15, 2025
-- PA Republican Lawmakers Rush To Introduce Bills To Give New Tax Breaks, Waive Regulations, Environmental Standards For A.I. Data Centers Already Flocking Into Pennsylvania And Locking Up PA Power [PaEN]
-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy: What Wasn’t Discussed At Pennsylvania’s Energy & A.I. Summit - By John Quigley, Senior Fellow
-- Utility Dive: Bipartisan Group Of 9 Governors, Including Gov. Shapiro, Say PJM Interconnection Facing ‘Unprecedented Crisis Of Confidence’ And Want A Hand In Filling 2 Vacant Board Seats [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project Releases Compounds Of Concern Online Tool To Help Frontline Residents Better Understand Health Symptoms Related To Chemicals In Industrial Pollution, Released By Oil & Gas Facilities [PaEN]
-- Rise Of The Machines: Senate, House Members Express Concern That Demand For Power To Run Computers Is Impacting The Price And Availability Of Electricity For ‘Ordinary People’ [5.12.25]
-- US Dept. Of Energy Releases Report On Electric Grid Reliability, Security Saying Generation Growth Must Match Needs Of A.I. Data Centers; But What About ‘Ordinary People’? [7.8.25]
-- PJM Interconnection Opens Next Electric Capacity Auction Bidding Window Of July 9 to 15 For 2026-27 Electric Delivery; Hold Your Breath! [7.9.25]
-- PJM Interconnection Issues Maximum Generation Alert For July 15; Natural Gas Accounted For Most Generation Outages In June Generation Alert [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Extends Maximum Generation Alert To July 16; Natural Gas Accounted For Most Generation Outages In June Generation Alert [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Issues Hot Weather Alert For July 17 In Its Mid-Atlantic, Southern Regions, Including Parts Of PA [PaEN]
-- Environmental Advocates Oppose Gov. Shapiro’s Attendance At Sen. McCormick's Energy, A.I. Summit Today In Pittsburgh [PaEN]
-- Environmental Groups Rallying To Protect Delaware River Watershed From Shale Gas Fracking [PaEN]
-- Dept. Of Insurance/DEP Highlight 30 Years Of Underground Petroleum Products Storage Tank Insurance Fund Work; Paid Over $1.3 Billion To Clean Up Tank Leaks [PaEN]
-- Gov. Shapiro Stops In Potter County To Highlight Investment In Key Gas Station Near Northcentral Regional ATV Trail To Build Outdoor Recreation Economy [Owner Failed To Comply With Storage Tank Regulations]
-- EPA Is 'Clearing The Regulatory Path For America To Dominate The Global A.I. Revolution' [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Energy And Innovation Summit Is A Great Opportunity For Pittsburgh, But People Must Come First [PaEN]
-- DEP: $3.47 Million In Alternative Fuel Vehicle Grants Announced To Lower Costs, Improve Air Quality; Deadline For New Applications Oct. 10 [PaEN]
[Posted: July 17, 2025] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment