Registration involves inspection and tagging of all home heating oil tanks. Homeowners that do not have their oil tank registered are strongly advised to make contact with their oil delivery company or an inspector, licensed by the Department of Environment and Conservation, to have the work completed.

For more information, including a list of companies with licensed inspectors, visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/psm or call 709-729-2556 or 1-800-563-6181.

The previous deadline of March 31, 2009 was extended to July 31, 2009 to allow for favourable weather conditions to complete work required and also provided industry the time to deal with the increased demand for inspecting and replacing heating oil systems.

As for homeowners who still have unregistered systems but have made arrangements to have their system registered, the Provincial Government is willing to work with the oil industry to accommodate these individuals. Homeowners who have not yet made such arrangements with their oil company should do so immediately.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has a financial assistance program, for low income homeowners to help offset the cost of replacement of fuel oil tanks. For more information, visit www.gov.nl.ca/fin/fueltank.html or call 709-729-1695 or 1-877-729-1695.

The Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) Regulations, 2003 were developed in consultation with industry and the general public, following a record number of domestic heating oil spills in 2001. The number of heating oil spills dropped to 29 incidents last year, down from 604 in 2001.

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Media contact:
Tina Coffey
Public Relations Specialist
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-5783, 728-8650
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca