Petrofund
Leaks for petroleum storage tanks are one of the nation's leading causes of groundwater pollution.
To help address this problem, the Minnesota Legislature established the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund (Petrofund) which reimburses eligible applicants up to 90% of "reasonable and necessary" costs they incur in responding to a petroleum tank leak.
The Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board oversees the reimbursement program. It has five members: a petroleum industry representative, a person with claims adjusting experience, a public member, the Commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and the Commissioner of Commerce.
Abandoned Underground Storage Tank Removal Program Request for Proposal
The Petrofund Board requests proposals from registered Petrofund consultants for contract services that include tank removal oversight, sampling, soil removal and disposal oversight, subcontracting, reporting, and other consultant services related to the removal of abandoned underground petroleum storage tanks in Minnesota.
The Petrofund Board anticipates the need to contract with multiple consultants to respond to numerous requests for abandoned tank removals at sites throughout Minnesota each year. It is anticipated that the total amount of money available for work under this contract is approximately $600,000 per year, to be allocated between the consultants who are awarded contracts.
Interested parties can find details about this request for proposals (RFP) by going through the State of Minnesota Supplier Portal and choosing Bidding Opportunities. The Event ID No. is 2000013855. The deadline for submitting proposals is March 21, 2023.
If you have questions about the RFP, please contact John Houck at 651-539-1509 or john.houck@state.mn.us.
Petrofund Fee Imposed April 1 to July 31
The Petrofund Board voted at its January 25, 2023 meeting to impose the Petrofund fee from April 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact the Petrofund by phone at 651-539-1515 or 800-638-0418 or by email at petrofund.commerce@state.mn.us.
Petrofund Board Meeting to be Held Hybrid
Petrofund Board's Next Regular Meeting
The Petrofund Board has scheduled a regular meeting for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The meeting will be held in person in the Summit Conference Room at the Minnesota Department of Commerce, 85 7th Place East, St. Paul, MN 55101. Attendees will need to check in at the Department Front Desk on the Skyway Level of the Golden Rule Building and be escorted to the meeting room.
Participants can also join the meeting either online or by phone using Webex:
- Online – Sign in through the Webex website. The meeting number (access code) is 2490 362 2213 and the meeting password is pZr4xnbQA23.
- By Phone – Call into the meeting using 855-282-6330 (toll free). The meeting number (access code) is 2481 967 7829.
Review the March 8,2023 Board regular meeting information packet. If you have any questions about the Board meeting, please contact the Petrofund by phone at 651-539-1515 or by email at petrofund.commerce@state.mn.us.
Change in Petrofund Contractor Registration Requirement
During the 2019 Legislative session, the Petrofund law was amended to reduce the number of times contractors need to complete registration applications. Beginning August 1, 2019, contractors will only need to register with the Petrofund every two years, rather than annually. Contractors will continue to receive a registration reminder from the Petrofund shortly before their registration is scheduled to lapse.
Consultants must still renew their registrations annually in conjunction with the renewal of their professional liability insurance coverage.
If you have questions about the meeting or need any additional information, please contact the Petrofund by phone at 651-539-1515 or 800-638-0418 or by email at petrofund.commerce@state.mn.us.
Statutes And Rules
The Petrofund Program is governed by Minnesota Statute 115C and Minnesota Rules 2890.
During the 2021 legislative session, the Petrofund 'sunset date' of June 30, 2022 was removed. The Petrofund no longer has a 'sunset date'.
Maximum Costs to Increase on July 1, 2022
The Petrofund rules include provisions that allow for periodic, automatic adjustments of the maximum costs for consultant and contractor services to allow for economic inflation or deflation (see Minn. Rules 2890.1900 and 2890.3900). Effective July 1, 2022, the maximum costs for consultant and contractor services will increase by 10% for all work performed after that date.
The new maximum costs will be posted on the website of the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes (Revisor's Office) beginning on July 1. The Revisor's Office website is located at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/2890/.
If you have any questions about the increases in the maximum costs, please contact the Petrofund by phone at 651-539-1515 or by email at petrofund.commerce@state.mn.us.