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Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
June 8, 2011

Government Assistance Plan for Inuit Communities
Advancing Oil Tank Repair and Replacement

A schedule of pre-inspections for the Inuit communities of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet is moving a comprehensive Government Assistance Plan for oil tank repair and replacement closer to completion.

Pre-inspections will allow homeowners with eligible tanks to have them registered during this early stage of the $1.5 million Government Assistance Plan. Participants will be assisted with the inspection, replacement and registration of their home-heating oil tanks. The pre-inspections will also determine the total number of tanks that need replacement and repairs for registration.

“Our Government Assistance Plan continues to address the many challenges faced by residents in remote northern Labrador communities to have their oil tanks meet environmental regulations,” said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “I strongly encourage residents to avail of the pre-inspection service, which is being offered at no cost to homeowners.”

The pre-inspections are scheduled to take place as follows:
• Postville: June 9 to June 13
• Makkovik : June 9 to June 14
• Nain: June 9 to June 18
• Hopedale: June 13 to June 18
• Rigolet: June 14 to June 18

Under the Government Assistance Plan, the Provincial Government will coordinate and pay for pre-inspections, reduce the per-unit cost of oil tanks through a bulk purchase, eliminate oil-tank shipping costs, and pay the travel costs of the licensed inspectors who will do the installations, repairs and registrations.

Winter Heating Limited will carry out the pre-inspections and make direct contact with residents during the scheduled community visits. The Conception Bay South company was the successful bidder in a tender call issued May 11. The tender award follows a series of community meetings that took place last week in Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet.

“The Government Assistance Plan for oil tank repair and replacement was designed in response to substantial community input,” said Minister Pottle. “Active and engaged participation by community residents is essential for the continued success of this comprehensive program.”

Through a combination of financial and in-kind resources, the Government Assistance Plan will encourage compliance with Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) Regulations, 2003. Homeowners who participate will see a substantial reduction in the necessary expense to achieve compliance with HOST to a level comparable to costs incurred by homeowners in other parts of Labrador – approximately $1,800.

Homeowners requiring tank replacement will be expected to make a $500 downpayment, which will be waived for persons with an annual household income of $35,000 or less. As well, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will provide loans for the replacement of tanks to eligible homeowners with a maximum annual household income of $35,000.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, includes $1.5 million for an assistance plan for Inuit communities where homeowners face unique and difficult challenges associated with the registration of home heating oil tanks to meet compliance with HOST regulations.

For more information on the Government Assistance Plan, please go to: www.gov.nl.ca/laa/programs_we_offer/gap.html 

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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 06 08                                                                                     10:05 a.m.

 
 
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