Tenders Called for Oil Tank Pre-Inspections in Inuit Communities

To encourage compliance with Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) regulations in the Inuit communities of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has issued a tender for pre-inspections of all residential heating oil tanks in each of the five communities.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, included an announcement of $1.5 million for an assistance plan for Inuit communities on the northern Labrador coast where homeowners face unique and difficult challenges associated with the registration of home heating oil tanks to meet compliance with HOST regulations. The arranging of pre-inspections, at no cost to homeowners, is the first step in this assistance plan.

“Throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, residential oil tanks are being brought up to acceptable standards, however for the people of Northern Labrador, the rural and remote nature of the region makes this especially difficult and expensive,” said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “This government assistance plan, which includes arranging and paying for pre-inspections, will greatly reduce costs for homeowners to a figure more in keeping with other parts of Labrador.”

The pre-inspections will allow homeowners with tanks that are eligible for registration to have their tanks registered during this initial stage of the plan. Non-complaint tanks will require a subsequent inspection to determine if they are compliant with HOST regulations. The pre-inspections will also allow the Provincial Government to determine the quantity of tanks that need replacement and repairs prior to their being registered. Additional details about the assistance plan will be released in the coming weeks. Community meetings will also be held to inform residents about the benefits and obligations associated with participating in the assistance plan.

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2011 05 11                                                                         9:20 a.m.