Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Departments & Offices

    The Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund (USTIF)

    USTIF provides for a cleaner Commonwealth by administering a fiscally responsible program to reimburse eligible participants for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred from releases into the environment.

    Visit USTIF's Website

    Overview

    The USTIF covers reasonable and necessary costs for corrective actions to clean up contamination from leaking tank(s). It also covers claims for bodily injury and property damage that occur as a result of the release. The cost covered by the USTIF includes identifying the extent, nature and impact of the release and develops a remedial action plan for restoring the site. The USTIF will not cover any upgrade costs for the facility or any repair and maintenance work performed on the USTs, including tank removal. USTIF covers only regulated USTs and underground heating oil tanks that chose to "opt-in" to the program.

    What are the eligibility requirements? 

    • The claimant is the owner or operator of a tank.
    • The Fund's fees are paid.
    • The tank is registered with DEP unless it is a heating oil tank that "opted-in".
    • The owner or operator has obtained a permit, if required.
    • The tank owner or operator can support a release occurred on or after February 1, 1994.
    • The claimant cooperates with the Fund in its eligibility determination process, claims investigation, the defense of any suit, the pursuit of a subrogation action and other matters as requested.
    • The claimant has met the notification requirements of reporting a claim.  Claims must be reported within 60 days after knowledge of a potential claim or coverage will be denied.

    Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund

    USTIF maintains an independent website to serve eligible participants. Visit the site to learn more or for information on registering and access which can be found at ustif.pa.gov.     

    Contact Us

    Contact the Claims Unit immediately after the release by calling (717) 787-0763 or (800) 595-9887 (PA only), or e-mail: ra-ustif@pa.gov.