$475K EPA grant for Louisiana

DALLAS - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) a grant of $476,539 to support underground storage tank programs. The funds will help detect and prevent leaks from these tanks, which typically hold petroleum or hazardous substances. “Detecting and preventing leaks from underground storage tanks is hard work, but it pays off because it protects our aquifers and drinking water sources,” said Region 6 administrator Ken McQueen. “LDEQ remains a strong partner in keeping Louisiana’s water resources safe from storage tank pollution.” The grant supports LDEQ’s underground storage tank program in detecting and preventing leaks and carrying out related enforcement activities. The program encourages proper tank operation and maintenance and ensures owners and operators monitor their underground storage tanks and comply with regulations. The grant also helps LDEQ develop its underground storage tank program to operate in lieu of the federal program. An underground storage tank system (UST) is a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10 percent of its combined volume underground. The greatest potential hazard from a leaking UST is that the petroleum or other hazardous substance can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. A leaking UST can present other health and environmental risks, including the potential for fire and explosion. (Source: EPA 10/23/19)