The Used Oil Grant Program
By Cassie Plourde, Project Assistant
Some communities have taken advantage of the Department of Environmental Services’ (DES) Used Oil Grant Program. The on-going program provides grants to towns, cities, counties and solid waste districts. The grants don’t require a match and are given in amounts up to $2,500.00. A municipality can use the grant to establish an oil collection center or improve an existing one.
The program allows municipalities to meet the requirements of the Oil Remediation & Compliance Bureau (part of DES). It also enables municipalities to serve residents who change their own oil by providing them with a place to safely dispose of waste oil.
According to Thomas Plourde, Road Agent and Master Road Scholar, Mont Vernon had a collection tank used for motor oil that lacked a protective shed. The town applied for the grant, and used the money to build the shed they needed.
The Town of Bow has also used this program. According to Chum Cleverly, Public Works Director and Master Road Scholar, Bow applied for and received a grant for a new collection tank.
Local governments can also use the grant money for:
To qualify for the grant, the municipality must promote storing and managing oil safely, recycle all collected oil, and serve local "do it yourself" oil changers. All awards must be used within one year. The municipality must submit an annual report to DES, including an accounting of the money used. In addition to the grant money offered, the municipality is eligible for:
To obtain information and an application contact Wendy Waskin at DES, (888) Take-Oil. Wendy will also assist application preparation.
Return to UNH T2 Center, 33 College Road, Durham NH 03824 603-862-2826 Fax 603-862-2364