Ranking of Applications and Grant Funding Levels

(1) Classification. The Board shall place each application in one of the following four classifications based on the activities for which the applicant is seeking reimbursement: One: Removal of leaking fuel storage tank(s) systems pursuant to 310 CMR 80.00: Underground Storage Tank (UST) Systems. Two: Closure of fuel storage tank(s) systems. Three: Removal and Replacement of fuel storage tank(s) systems used for public safety vehicles, emergency generators, hospitals, and schools. Four: Removal and replacement of other fuel storage tank(s) systems. (2) Priority. Applications within each classification will be ranked according to the following point scoring system, with the highest point score equal to the highest rank. Category 1 - Construction Points Lined Tank Bare Steel Concrete Protected Composite Fiberglass Category 2 - Age of Tank Points Over 31 years 3.07: continued Category 3 - Proximity to Public Water Supply System Points Zone I or Zone A Zone II or Interim Wellhead Protection Area Zone B Sole Source Aquifer Within 100' of Wetland Within 100' of Stream Within 100' of Brook Within 100' of Area of Critical Environmental Concern Agricultural Land Any other Area *Applicants may choose more than one selection from category Category 4 - Speed of Petroleum Product Movement Points Gasoline Aviation fuel Diesel #2 fuel #4 fuel #6 fuel Other mid-range weight fuels (3) Applications. Applications will be reviewed by the Board for accuracy and for registration and permitting. Applications found to be eligible will then receive a reimbursement priority ranking based on point scores. The Board will notify applicants of their ranking and the number of grants that will be awarded based on fund availability; this information will be summarized in a Preliminary Priority List which shall made be available to the public by the Board. (4) Order of Grant Funding. (a) Funding for grants will be distributed based upon the Classification and Priority System described in 503 CMR 3.07(1) and (2). (b) If adequate funds are available to fund each qualifying grant request, all grants will be fully funded to the level of 50% of eligible costs. Unless amounts eligible for funding in all grant applications do not total the amount of funds available, all grant funds will be distributed each year. If in any given year, the total qualifying grant requests eligible for funding exceed available grant funds, funds will be distributed using the following methodology: 1. Grant funds will be distributed so that 40% of funds will fund Classification One activities, 30% will fund Classification Two activities, 15% will fund Classification Three activities, and 15% will fund Classification Four activities. 3.07: continued 2. Within each Classification, grants will be funded fully (to the level of 50% of eligible costs) according to their priorityranking using the system described in 503 CMR 3.07(2). Grants will be funded in descending order of priority, with the highest-scoring grant receiving funding first and progressively lower-scoring grants receiving funding until all monies allocated to that Classification are expended. In the event of a tie score, grant applications will be ranked in order of receipt. 3. Some lower-priority grants within some or all Classifications may receive no funding. Eligible grants that receive no funding will be retained in the program and automatically entered into the following year's pool for ranking along with newly-filed grant applications.