More than $320K Awarded for Used Motor Oil Collection in TN

Press release from the Department of Environment & Conservation; November 21, 2012:

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau today announced $322,400 in collection grants to establish, upgrade and expand used motor oil collection centers in 21 counties across Tennessee.

“It’s important to educate citizens on the proper disposal of used motor oil, and the use of these convenient community collection centers can have a direct impact on the water quality of our lakes, streams and groundwater in Tennessee,” Haslam said.

Tennesseans who change their own motor oil generate more than one million gallons of used oil each year, which can pollute soil and water and interfere with the operation of sewer systems when not properly disposed. The General Assembly through the Used Oil Collection Act of 1993 directed TDEC to assist local communities in collecting used oil and reducing its negative effects on the environment. Tennessee’s Solid Waste Management Act requires counties to have at least one place in the county where used oil can be properly disposed. Used Motor Oil Collection Grants are funded by a two cent deposit on every quart of oil purchased in the state.

The first priority for grant funding is to establish or expand collection sites in underserved areas. Other grants will fund improvement or replacement of equipment in existing public and private facilities. Equipment purchased through Used Motor Oil Collection Grants can include containers, used oil burners, containment structures, shelter covers and other items.

The Used Motor Oil Collection Grants announced today include:

Bledsoe County
Bledsoe     $7,600       Tanks, canopies, pads
City of Alcoa
Blount      $3,700       Tank, pump, absorbent
Campbell County
Campbell    $9,900        Tanks, canopies, pads, pump, absorbent
City of Jellico
Campbell   $13,800      Tank, canopy, pad, heater, pump, absorbent
City of LaFollette
Campbell     $4,600        Tank, canopy, pad, absorbent
Carroll County
Carroll              $8,500        Heater
Cheatham County
Cheatham       $12,300      Tanks, canopies, pads
Chester County
Chester            $8,200         Tanks, canopies, pads
Clay County
Clay                  $11,300       Canopy, pad, heater, pump, absorbent
City of Chattanooga
Hamilton         $20,500     Tanks, absorbents, crusher, heater
Hardeman County
Hardeman       $3,000       Crusher, absorbent
Hickman County
Hickman           $14,800     Tanks, pumps, absorbents
Town of White Pine
Jefferson           $1,200       Pump, absorbent
City of Athens
McMinn              $17,000   Heaters
McNairy County
McNairy             $16,300    Tank, canopy, pad, crusher, heater, pump, absorbent
Meigs County
Meigs                   $15,900    Tanks, canopies, pads, pumps, absorbents
Bi-County Solid Waste Management Montgomery County
Montgomery    $18,500    Tanks, heater
Polk County
Polk                      $9,200      Tanks, canopies, pads, absorbents
City of Harriman
Roane                  $13,800    Tank, canopy, pad, heater, pump, absorbent
City of Kingston
Roane                  $13,800    Tank, canopy, pad, heater, pump, absorbent
Roane County
Roane                  $15,700    Pump, tanks
Recycling Marketing Cooperative for Tennessee
Scott                     $16,300    Tank, canopy, pad, crusher, heater, pump, absorbent
Scott County
Scott                     $5,300       Tank, canopy, pad, absorbent
Town of Oneida
Scott                     $13,800     Tank, canopy, pad, pump, absorbent, heater
Smith County
Smith                   $4,100        Tank, canopy, pad
Sumner County
Sumner               $15,100      Tank, canopy, pad, crusher, heater
Union County Solid Waste Authority
Union                   $8,200       Tanks, canopies, pads

TOTAL  $322,400

Visit www.tn.gov/environment/swm/oil or call toll-free at 1-800-287-9013 for more information concerning used oil collection centers, operating hours, requirements for collection locations that accept commercial used oil and other facts about used oil.