Why is this transition happening?
The legal agreement (treaty) between PLIA and the private insurance company that provides an insurance policy for heating oil tanks has now ended. The policy will expire on June 30, 2025, ending insurance coverage for heating oil tanks registered with PLIA.
What will happen to my registration/insurance coverage?
Your registration/insurance coverage will expire effective July 1, 2025. However, any previously existing claims for leaks reported before July 1, 2025, will remain valid. PLIA will continue to administer those claims until they are closed or the claim’s funds are exhausted.
If I currently have an open heating oil claim, will the claim no longer be valid with this transition?
The claim is still valid. PLIA will continue to administer open claims until they are closed or the claim’s funds are exhausted.
For currently active claims, are there any changes to processes in PLIA's Online Community to be aware of (e.g., invoice submissions/approvals, work plan amendments, etc.)?
No, the processes for active claims will not change. For reference, you can find guidance on Online Community processes on our Online Community Help Guides page.
How long do I still have the option to submit a claim in the Heating Oil Insurance Program (HOIP) if I don't have an open claim currently?
You must have a leak from your registered heating oil tank to submit a valid claim. If you have a current registration, you can submit a claim through July 31, 2025, as long as you have reported the leak associated with the claim before July 1, 2025, and all other program eligibility criteria are met. PLIA will continue to administer those claims until they are closed or the claim’s funds are exhausted. After July 31, 2025, no new claims will be accepted in HOIP.
How do I report a heating oil tank leak?
For information on what to do if you have a heating oil leak, see our Guide to Reporting Heating Oil Leaks.
Do I need to take any action for this transition?
No, there are no actions necessary on your part for this transition (unless you’d like to submit a claim before the claim submission deadline).
You do not need to register your tank with the Heating Oil Loan & Grant Program, instead you will submit an application to the Program when you are ready to conduct a cleanup.
Are there any alternatives for heating oil tank insurance?
PLIA is not currently aware of a private insurance option, but that doesn’t mean it does not exist. Please contact your homeowner’s insurance company and inquire directly with them.
Are you conducting any public meetings regarding this transition?
Do I need to register for the Heating Oil Loan & Grant (HOLG) Program?
No, there are no registrations for HOLG. Instead, you must apply to the program during an open application cycle.
How do I apply to the HOLG Program?
You must apply to the HOLG Program during an open application cycle to be considered for the program. Application cycles occur each year in the spring and the fall and are posted on our HOLG Program webpage.
You can find instructions on how to apply to the HOLG Program in our how-to guide.
How will I know when the next application cycle will open?
Once we have dates for the open and close of the next application cycle, we will post them at the top of our HOLG webpage. The spring 2025 application cycle will be open from May 1 to June 14, 2025.
If you would like to receive notifications by email of when future application cycles open, please let us know at rules@plia.wa.gov. We will then add you to our email distribution list.
What kind of funding is available from the HOLG Program?
The HOLG Program can offer up to a total of $75,000 in funding for a qualified applicant and their project.
Starting with the May 2025 application cycle, PLIA will offer up to $60,000 in the form of a cleanup grant. This amount can only be used for cleanup efforts associated with a leak from a heating oil tank. This grant cannot be used for infrastructure upgrades.
Accepted applicants will receive a grant of $7,000 to have a Preliminary Planning Assessment conducted. If contamination is identified, an additional grant of $1,500 will be given for enrollment in our Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The $60,000 cleanup grant is then available to cover any costs associated with cleanup.
In addition to the grants mentioned above, $6,500 more may be offered in the form of a loan. PLIA utilizes the prime interest rate taken in the month of March of the year you apply. If you qualify and accept a loan offer, the loan funding may be used to pay for additional cleanup costs if grant funding was insufficient for any cleanup work at your site. Loan funding may also be used for infrastructure upgrades for your heating oil tank system (if applicable). Examples of infrastructure costs covered by a loan may include tank removal/decommissioning and switching your heat source from heating oil to another source.
If no contamination is identified during the PPA (covered by a $7,000 grant), the project will not qualify for a cleanup grant – because cleanup grant funds can only be used for cleanup. However project funding for infrastructure costs may be available in the form of a loan for up to $68,000.
You can learn more about HOLG Program funding on our HOLG Program webpage.
Can I become a PLIA-contracted consultant for HOLG Program projects?
Heating oil service providers can apply to become a PLIA-contracted consultant for HOLG projects during open solicitation periods. PLIA will be opening a solicitation period on May 2, 2025, and will be accepting proposals until June 16, 2025.
PLIA will post materials for this solicitation on our PLIA Procurement Announcements page. If you have questions regarding solicitations, please reach out to emily.cavanaugh@plia.wa.gov.
What is the role of a PLIA-contracted consultant in the HOLG Program?
PLIA-contracted consultants are assigned at the Preliminary Planning Assessment (PPA) stage of HOLG projects. During the PPA stage, consultants conduct work to determine the presence and extent of possible contamination on-site. They also put together a list and cost estimate for necessary cleanup actions, tank removal, and/or infrastructure upgrades at the site. The PPA is funded by a grant of up to $7,000.
When the PPA stage is complete, PLIA will then select a consultant from our list of PLIA-contracted consultants to conduct any cleanup work, if applicable.
For projects seeking loan funding for infrastructure work, heating oil tank owners will select a consultant to conduct the work. The contract to conduct this work will be between the tank owner and the consultant. The tank owner is welcome to use the same consultant who conducted the PPA for the project or a different consultant.
Who should I contact with more questions about the transition?
Please submit questions via email to pliamail@plia.wa.gov or call (800) 822-2905. The appropriate PLIA staff member will follow up with answers to your questions.