# How do I minimize the cost of petroleum assessment and remediation?

- Link: https://moran.rocks/how-do-i-minimize-the-cost-of-petroleum-assessment-and-remediation/
- Published: 2024-02-15T18:10:21-05:00
- Author: Nicholas Moran

Here are some tips for minimizing the cost of petroleum contamination assessments
and cleanups at sites like gas stations:

 1. Work with State Trust Funds & Programs – Many states including Florida, administered
    through the Petroleum Restoration Program offer reimbursement of corrective action
    costs through a special fund set aside for petroleum cleanup work. Applying for
    coverage early is key. Some programs in Florida have already been closed, such 
    as the Early detection Incentive (EDI) program. Others like the Abandoned Tank 
    Restoration Program (ATRP), were closed but have been reopened, though your site
    will need to meet strict criteria to qualify.
 2. Use Risk-Based Closure Strategies – Develop remediation goals based on actual site
    risks rather than always achieving stringent default cleanup levels. In Florida
    you can achieve what is called “Conditional Closure” which will force some usage
    restrictions on the property, but will prevent the high costs required to meet 
    the the target cleanup levels which would not require conditions. This is a really
    great option for some, but it can impact the value when selling the property later.
 3. Establish Realistic Cleanup Timeframes – Extending remediation time horizons using
    longer-term attenuation and monitoring approaches costs less than rapid cleanup.
    You will have to get approval for changes to the time frames from the regulatory
    body, which would be the local county and then the state.
 4. Employ Passive Remediation Technologies – Consider less energy-intensive methods
    like bioremediation, phytoremediation, or chemical oxidation which require less
    equipment expense over time.
 5. Phase Projects Efficiently – Prioritize the highest risk /highest contamination
    areas first while incrementally investigating other areas over time only if necessary
    to control costs.
 6. Select Cost-Competitive Contractors – Solicit multiple competitive bids from reputable
    environmental services contractors and negotiate pricing.
 7. Discuss Cost Saving Options with Regulators – Regulators will often work collaboratively
    with site owners to achieve regulatory compliance in a flexible, cost-considerate
    manner. In fact, it is very important to understand that despite how it may sometimes
    seem, the regulators want to get the property rehabilitated and back to good use
    as quick as possible. It is important to get them to help you meet your goals by
    sharing with them your intentions for the property, your cost concerns regarding
    the standard methods and discussing with them cheaper but equally effective solutions.

With strategic project planning and execution focused on optimization rather than
expediency, substantial assessment and remediation savings are possible.