Selected Recipients for this Program

Fiscal Year 2016: In FY 2016, 19 states submitted applications and were awarded STAG assistance agreements. For the LUST Prevention assistance agreements, 54 states (including DC and Puerto Rico) and four (4) territories and tribes and/or tribal consortia submitted applications and were awarded LUST Prevention assistance agreements. Program accomplishments for FY 2016 resulted in achieving a significant operation compliance rate of 72.5 percent and decreasing the number of newly-confirmed releases to 5,582. Fiscal Year 2017: In FY 2017, 15 states are expected to submit applications and be awarded STAG assistance agreements. For the LUST Prevention assistance agreements, 52 states (including DC and Puerto Rico) and four (4) territories and tribes and/or tribal consortia are expected to submit applications and be awarded LUST Prevention assistance agreements. There are no program accomplishments to report for FY 2017 at this time. Fiscal Year 2018: No Current Data Available

Uses and Use Restrictions

Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.

Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: https://www.epa.gov/geospatial.

Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Prevention assistance agreements are Continuing Environmental Program Grants.

Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official Government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government.

Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. States and Tribes may use financial assistance under this program for eligible and allowable costs incurred under assistance agreements for leak prevention, detection, and compliance, as described in the Section:50 Funding Priority.

Assistance agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved work plan plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations.

Unlike State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) funding under Section 2007(f) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), the LUST prevention funding under Section 9011 and other applicable provisions of Subtitle I of the SWDA is not eligible for inclusion in Performance Partnership Grants under 40 CFR 35.133.

EPA may award combined STAG funded UST prevention, detection, and compliance assistance agreements authorized by Section 2007(f) with LUST prevention assistance agreements authorized by Subtitle I if the combined agreement is not included in a PPG.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Prevention, detection and compliance assistance agreements are only available to States and Territories and to Federally-recognized Tribes and Intertribal Consortia that must meet the requirements, as described in the Federal Register Notice, Vol.

67, No.

213, pp.

67181-67183, 'Update to EPA Policy on Certain Grants to Intertribal Consortia.' These assistance agreements may also be used for EPA to help States, who request it, to obtain SEE enrollees through a SEE assistance agreement to work on the State's underground storage tanks and to support direct UST implementation programs.

For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Additionally, EPA may limit competition under this CFDA to Tribes and Inter-Tribal Consortia.

Beneficiary Eligibility

States, Territories, Tribes and Intertribal Consortia.

Credentials/Documentation

States and Territories must either submit certification indicating the State or Territory meets the applicable Energy Policy Act provisions, or submit documentation describing the State or Territory's efforts to meet the requirements, in accordance with EPA's Energy Policy Act grant guidelines (http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/fedlaws/epact_05.htm). The EPA Regional Offices maintain the credentials/documentation for State and Territorial programs and federally-recognized Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, 'Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.' An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Tribes and Intertribal Consortia are excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, 'Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.' An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through http://www.grants.gov. States and Tribes apply for funds through EPA regional offices. EPA may award combined or separate assistance agreements for leak prevention. Additionally 2 CFR 1500 applies to this program.

Award Procedures

These funds are awarded non-competitively. However, if EPA elects to hold competitions for Tribal and/or Intertribal Consortia assistance agreements, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Applications will be subjected to administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to assistance agreement regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will be negotiated with the applicant. An assistance agreement must be signed between EPA and the State or Territory or EPA and the Tribe or Intertribal Consortia. EPA awards the assistance agreements to states through a previously established allocation process, issued under national guidance rather than through competition(see 40 CFR 35.332 and EPA Order 5700.5, Section 6(c)(1)).

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Energy Policy Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C 6916(f)(2); Superfund Reauthorization Amendments of 1986, Title I, Section 2007(f); Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) of 1976, Section 9011; EPA's Annual Appropriations Act; Energy Policy Act of 2005, Title XV; Ethanol And Motor Fuels, Title B, Section 1521-1533, Public Law 109-58, U.S.C 15801; Ethanol And Motor Fuels, Title B, Section 1521-1533, Public Law 105-276, 42 Stat. 15801.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Generally, from 3 to 4 months.

Appeals

Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.

Renewals

Contact the appropriate Regional Office. See http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/regions/index.htm.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: The UST prevention, detection, and compliance Solid Waste Disposal Act 2007(f) assistance agreement (STAG) program has no statutory formula or matching requirement. However, there is a 25 percent matching requirement (cost share) for States under 40 CFR 35.335. State matches (cost shares) may include in-kind contributions. Under 40 CFR 35.332, EPA regions allocate funds to states based on their programmatic needs and applicable EPA guidance. Factors include the number of active federally regulated petroleum underground storage tanks. LUST Prevention funding is awarded under Section 9011 and other applicable provisions of Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act subject to an allocation process developed by the Agency. The Agency distributes funds based on the number of federally-regulated petroleum USTs in a State and other indicators of State needs. States will provide a 25 percent match (cost share) for assistance agreements awarded under Section 9011 and other applicable provisions of Subtitle I. If EPA awards a State a combined UST prevention, detection, and compliance (STAG) and LUST prevention assistance agreement, the 25 percent cost share will apply to total project costs for the combined assistance agreement. There is no matching requirement (cost share) for prevention, detection and compliance assistance agreements for Tribes or Intertribal Consortia awarded pursuant under Public Law 105-276 or the Agency's annual appropriation act. This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The terms of the assistance agreement shall be determined at the time of award by the specific EPA Regional Office. Assistance agreements can be awarded on a single- or multiple-year basis up to seven years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements are identified at 2 CFR 200.327.

EPA Regional Offices may include additional information regarding the content and frequency of reporting requirements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.

Recipients submit annual reports which include a description of the progress made towards meeting environmental goals as expressed by the environmental indicators and program measures.

Recipients report program performance results semi-annually that provide updates for commitments and priorities.

No cash reports are required.

Progress reports are required and identified at 2 CFR 200.327.

States must certify that they are meeting or are making progress in meeting the Energy Policy Act requirements.

States are required to provide expenditure reports for overall funding for UST prevention, detection and compliance (STAG) assistance agreements.

For LUST Prevention assistance agreements, States are required to submit Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) to the Las Vegas Finance Center.

Annual reviews are conducted to determine recipients' progress in meeting overall program goals.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-federal entities that expend $750,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records

The record retention requirements of 2 CFR 1500.6 are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0103-0-1-304 - STAG; 68-8153-0-7-304 - LUST.

Obigations

(Formula Grants) FY 16 $26,867,000; FY 17 est $26,867,000; and FY 18 est $0 - STAG Obligations - Grants to States (for state staff oversight of UST activities identified in Section :50): FY 16 actual: $1,498,000, FY 17 estimate: $1,498,000, FY 18 estimate: $0. LUST Prevention Obligations - Assistance Agreements to State and Tribes (for state staff oversight and inspection activities related to the UST program; for Tribal staff to build capacity and provide training for prevention activities identified in Section :50): FY 16 actual: $25,369,000; FY 17 estimate: $25,369,000, FY 18 estimate: $0.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range for States and Territories: The STAG and LUST prevention financial assistance is based on states' needs. STAG Funding: There is no STAG distribution for Tribes. In FY 2017, estimated STAG funding - Range for States and Territories: $30,000 to $294,500; Average for States and Territories = $98,133. LUST PREVENTION Funding: In FY 2017, estimated LUST Prevention funding - Range for States and Territories: $86,000 to $1,342,000. Average for States and Territories = $437,145. Range for Tribes: $27,339 to $290,000; Average for Tribes = $98,250.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

General Grant Regulations and Procedures (2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 1500, as applicable), State and Local Assistance (40 CFR Part 35.330 et. seq. for States and 40 CFR 35.730 et. seq. for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia). Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200 subpart E for all entity types. 2 CFR Part 225 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes and 2 CFR Part 230 for Intertribal Consortia that follow the assistance regulations for nonprofit organizations. Contact Regional UST Program Manager for documents.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. For state-specific opportunities, EPA encourages potential state applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Underground Storage Tanks Regional Program Managers (see http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/regions/index.htm).

Headquarters Office

Lynn Depont, USEPA Headquarters; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.; Mail Code: 5401P, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: depont.lynn@epa.gov Phone: (703) 603-7148.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

This program allocates funding to States and Tribes non-competitively under the allocation system referenced in Section:101. Funding provided to states for release prevention must be expended in accordance with grant guidelines EPA issued to implement the Title XV, Subtitle B of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/fedlaws/epact_05.htm.