Government will extend the fuel tank replacement assistance program to help low income families offset replacement costs of domestic fuel tanks, the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, announced today. The total cost of the extension is estimated at $1.5 million over two years.

Minister Marshall said this extension coincides with government�s decision to give residents more time to register their existing home heating oil tanks with the extension of the deadline to March 31, 2009. "We want to help more low income individuals and families replace their fuel tanks and comply with government regulation," noted Minister Marshall.

"Whether it is expanding the prescription drug program to encompass more individuals, eliminating school fees, indexing the Newfoundland and Labrador child and low income seniors benefit�s, expanding the home heating fuel rebate program or extending the fuel tank replacement assistance program, we are working to improve the lives of low income families and to protect those most vulnerable in our society," said Minister Marshall. "Our $60 million Poverty Reduction Strategy has been hailed by the president of the National Anti-Poverty Organization as a model for the rest of the country. We will continue to help low income individuals whenever and wherever possible."

Under the program, households with family net income of less than $22,397, who use home heating fuel as their primary source of heat will be eligible for the grant upon replacement of a domestic fuel tank. The amount of $22,397 is the same amount at which the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Tax Benefit is fully phased out. Family net income would include the net income of the homeowner and his/her spouse.

Households that qualify will be eligible for a grant of 50 per cent of the installed cost of the new fuel tank to a maximum of $300. All new installations must be in compliance with the Heating Oil Storage Tank Regulations.

Application forms and further information on the fuel tank replacement assistance program is available at //www.gov.nl.ca/fin/.

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Media contact:
Bill Hickey
Director of Communications
Department of Finance
709-729-6830, 691-6390
billyhickey@gov.nl.ca

2007 03 22                                           11:30 a.m.