Work Continuing to Repair and Replace Oil Tanks on Labrador’s North Coast

The Government Assistance Plan for the repair or replacement of oil tanks continues to provide residents of the Inuit communities of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet with the means to make their tanks safer and more secure.

Under the plan, a recent series of pre-inspections carried out at no cost to homeowners resulted in 73 tanks being registered. The pre-inspections also determined that a remaining 525 tanks required repair or replacement in order to meet environmental regulations and be registered.

Residents who had their tanks pre-inspected and wish to continue with efforts to have their tank certified through the Government Assistance Plan are now required to fill out a consent form. The form will arrive in the mail in the coming days and is also available at www.gov.nl.ca/laa/programs_we_offer/gap.html. 

Officials with Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs will be following up with door-to-door visits. Participants must have the form completed and forwarded by mail to the address provided no later than August 26.

“Since announcing our Government Assistance Plan in Budget 2011, residents of Inuit communities have shown great interest in participating in the plan in order to have their oil tanks brought up to provincial standards,” said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “I am encouraged by the progress we have made to date and I encourage residents to complete their consent forms as soon as possible.”

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

Under the plan, the Provincial Government will 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.

Participating homeowners requiring tank replacement will be expected to make a $500 down payment, which will be waived for persons with an annual household income of $35,000 or less. As well, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) will provide loans for the replacement of tanks to homeowners with a maximum annual household income of $35,000. Eligible homeowners are encouraged to apply to the NLHC Oil Tank Replacement Program at: www.nlhc.nl.ca/OilTankProgram/index.html 

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 for the repair or replacement of residential oil tanks, go to: www.gov.nl.ca/laa/ or call toll-free 1-877-788-8822.

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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 08 04             10:50 a.m.