Archive for June, 2008

Steve Rich ‘Clear and Free’ Program – Free Oil Tank Removal in New Jersey-New York!

June 12, 2008 at 6:05 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal, tank removal help, vacuum excavation, vacuum excavation nj ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Remove and/or install a new oil tank with no worries, and no hassles. Do it clear and free today! Steve Rich Environmental Contractor’s (SREC) is pleased to be able to offer you an opportunity to work with our company and the State of New Jersey to ease your financial burden through the State’s Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Program (PUST).

Our team of experts understands the rules and regulations of the PUST program. With the help of the State’s program, SREC has developed our own program for homeowners to remove or abandon an old underground storage tank (UST) and an installation of a brand NEW oil tank, absolutely FREE. Planning on converting to gas or alternative energy? Not a problem, this program is also designed for just removing an underground storage tank as well. SREC will remove the old oil tank FREE of charge.

If you meet the following requirements, you are on your way to safeguarding your existing or new home CLEAR and FREE of any environmentally concerns that may have surfaced with continued use of an old UST.

 

Eligibility Requirements for the CLEAR and FREE Program:

[Requirements needed to remove and/or install your tank completely for FREE. If you don’t meet these exact requirements, additional charges will apply, and our sales team will discuss the charges with you.]

• The UST must have clear and easy access for equipment and to perform the physical work to remove and/or install the tank. *
• Flexible Schedule — Allow SREC the flexibility of when the work will be completed. *
• Must qualify for the grant money through the NJEDA. Click here for more information on the grant program.
  * An explanation of these requirements are noted below.

 

Have questions yet?
Call our office and speak to one of our experts.
1-877-7-DEPEND or 973.458.1188		 Call today for expert help

Here’s what SREC will do for you:

  Oil Tank Removal
• Reimburse your $250.00 grant application fee.*
• Help you complete the necessary forms to apply for the grant program.
• Compile all the necessary documentation to submit with the grant application.
• Apply for the permits through the local municipality.
• Schedule inspection with the municipality.
• Backfill site to grade (no site restoration, topsoil, concrete, etc). A quote can be provided to do complete restoration.
  New Oil Tank Installation
• Apply for the permits through the local municipality.
• Schedule inspection with the town.
• Supply a UL listed 275 gallon tank.
• Transfer enough oil for startup of the new tank system.
• All associate piping to the boiler.

SREC recommends that your oil company complete a startup upon completion of the installation.

  Eligibility Requirements for Clear Access
for an Underground Storage Tank
• The tank must be accessible for a small backhoe or bobcat type machine. Can SREC still complete the work if it is tight access? Yes, we can even hand dig if needed, but other charges will apply.
• Underground utilities can not be near the tank. The State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities mandates under penalty of law that no excavations by machinery can occur within 24” of a marked utility.
• The tank must be free of any contaminants inside the tank, dirt, water, other debris.
• The homeowner must help SREC the day of the job to secure parking for our trucks so equipment and labor are near the work site.
  Eligibility Requirements for Clear Access
for the Installation of a New Tank:
• Access and egress must be clear.
• Area of install must be clear.
• Tank must be within 20 feet of boiler.
• Tank lines will be exposed ( under the Free and Clear program SREC cannot run lines through a finished basement)

Eligibility Requirements for Flexible Schedule:

SREC requires that your project be coordinated with other projects in your town and surrounding towns so that two projects can be completed in one day. Consequently, SREC requires that the project not be rushed and provided ample time to schedule the work.

 

What does that mean?

In the towns that SREC is offering the CLEAR and FREE program, we typically complete at least 12 to 24 projects each year. That means that the typical waiting time once we receive the signed contract and obtain all approvals, is under 1 month.

** Restrictions apply: SREC requires the homeowner to pay $250.00 application fee if the homeowner is denied the grant money, or backs out of contract. Upon completion of project, a two party check (payable to SREC and the homeowner) will be issued, at which time the homeowner will sign over to SREC. We will reimburse the application fee of $250.00 at that time.

 

Costs that may be incurred:

Customer responsible to pay the following if applicable:

• Town or city permits if required (most require) — SREC will complete the permit application and submit.

• If the tank contains water or has been previously filled, and the tank was not cleaned properly and the soil is contaminated, customer is responsible to pay for disposal.

• Police and traffic control if required. Some towns/cities require a police officer to be on site if work is being done on a very busy road. Customer to pay police officer directly.

• Traffic signs if required.

Call and speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives to get more details. 1-877-7-DEPEND.

start thinking about your next vacation

 

Serving New Jersey in Aldene, Allendale, Alpine, Arlington, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avalon, Avon, Babbitt, Baltusrol, Bayonne, Bayway, Bedminster, Belleville, Belmar, Benders Corner, Bergen, Bergen County, Bergen Point, Bergenfield, Berkeley Heights, Berkeley Heights Township, Berkeley Township, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Township, Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale Borough, Bogota, Boonton, Boonton Township, Bradley Beach, Brick Township, Brielle, Brigantine, Budd Lake, Butler, Caldwell, Carlstadt, Carteret, Cedar Grove, Chatham Borough, ChathamTownship, Chester Borough, Chester Township, Clark, Cliffside Park, Clifton, Clinton, Closter, Closter Borough, Colts Neck, Communipaw, Cranbury, Crane Square, Cranford, Cranford Junction, Cresskill, Deal, Demarest, Denville Township, Dover, Morris County, Dover Township, Toms River, Ocean County, Dumont, Dunellen, East Brunswick, East Hanover, East Newark, East Orange, East Rutherford, Eatontown, Edgewater, Edgewater Park Township, Edison, Elizabeth, Elizabethport, Elmora, Elmwood Park, Emerson, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Englishtown, Essex County, Essex Fells, Essex Fells Borough, Fair Lawn, Fairfield, Fairview, Fanwood, Fanwood, Borough of, Fort Lee, Fort Monmouth, Franklin Lakes, Free Acres, Freehold Township, Garfield, Garwood, Glen Ridge Borough, Glen Rock, Grasselli, Guttenberg, Hackensack, Hackettstown, Hainesport, Haledon, Harrington Park, Harrison, Hudson County, Hasbrouck Heights, Haworth, Hawthorne, Hazlet, Highland Park, Highlands, Hillsdale, Hillside, Hoboken, Holmdel, Hopatcong, Howell, Hudson County, Irvington Township, Jamesburg, Jefferson Township, Jersey City, Kearny, Kenilworth, Kinnelon, Lake Como, South Belmar, Lakehurst, Lakewood Township, Leonia Borough, Liberty Square, Lincoln Park, Linden, Little Falls, Livingston, Lodi, Long Branch, Madison, Madison Hill, Mahwah, Manalapan, Manchester, Maplewood, Marlboro Township, Maywood, Mercer County, Metuchen, Middlesex Borough, Middlesex County, Middletown Township, Midland Park, Millburn, Millburn Township, Milltown, Monmouth County, Montclair, Montvale, Montville Township, Morris County, Morris Township, Mount Arlington, Mountainside, Murray Hill, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Netcong, Netherwood, New Brunswick, New Providence, Newark, Newton, North Bergen, North Brunswick Township, North Caldwell, North haledon, North Plainfield, Nutley, Oakland, Oakwood Park, Ocean County, Ocean Township (Monmouth County), Old Bridge Township, Old Tappan, Oradell, Overlook, Paramus, Park Ridge, Park Village, Parsippany, Passaic, Passaic County, Paterson, Perth Amboy, Perth Amboy Junction, Piscataway Township, Plainfield, Pompton Lakes, Prospect Park, Rahway, Ramsey, Randolph, Raritan Township, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, Ridgewood, Ringwood, River Edge, River Vale Township, Riverdale, Rochelle Park, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Roseland, Roselle, Roselle Park, Roxbury Township, Rutherford, Saddle Brook, Saddle River, Scotch Plains, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Secaucus, Somerset County, South Bound Brook, South Brunswick, South Harrison Township. South Orange, South Plainfield, South River Borough, Springfield, Staten Island Junction, Stony Hill, Summit, Sussex County, Teaneck, Tinton Falls, Toms River (Township of Dover), Totowa, Tremley, Tremley Point, Tremont Park, Union, Union County, Union Square, Union Township, Union Village, Union City, Upper Freehold Township, Upper Saddle River, Vauxhall, Verona, Waldwick, Wall Township, Wanaque Borough, Washington Township (Bergen County), Washington Township (Morris County), Watchung, Wayne, Wayne Township, Weehawken, West Caldwell, West Milford Township, West Orange, West Paterson, Westfield, Westwood, Winfield, Woodbridge Fire Department.Woodbridge Township,Woodcliff Lake, Woodland Park, Wood-Ridge, and Wyckoff.

Serving New York State (Westchester County) in: Amawalk, Annsville, Archville, Ardsley, Ardsley-on-Hudson, Armawalk, Armonk, Arthur Manor, Banksville, Bayberry Park, Bedford, Bedford Center, Bedford Hills, Beech Hill, Beechmont, Beechmont Woods, Bonnie Crest, Boutonville, Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Bronxville Heights, Bryn Mawr Park, Buchanan, Buckhout Corners, Butlerville, Cecil Park, Cedar Knolls, Chappaqua, Chauncey, Chester Hill Park, Chimney Corners, Colonial Acres, Colonial Heights, Crestwood, Crestwood Gardens, Crompond, Cross River, Croton Falls, Croton Heights, Croton-on-Hudson, Crotonville, Crugers, Dobbs Ferry, Dunwoodie, Dunwoodie Heights, East Irvington, East White Plains, East Woods, Eastchester, Eastview, Elmsford, Elmsmere, Fairview, Fleetwood, Forest Knolls, Fox Meadow, Furnace Woods, Gallows Hill, Glendale, Glenville, Glenwood, Goldens Bridge, Graham, Granite Springs, Grant Corner, Greenhaven, Greenville, Grey Oaks, Greystone, Gunther Park, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Hawthorne, Heath Ridge, Heathcote, Heritage Hills, Homestead Park, Horseshoe Hill, Horton Estates, Huguenot Park, Isle of San Souci, Jefferson Valley, Katonah, Kitchawan, Lake Katonah, Lake Lincolndale, Lake Mohegan, Lake Purdy, Larchmont, Lawrence Park, Lewisboro, Lincoln, Lincolndale, Lowerre, Ludlow, Mamaroneck, Maplewood, Mariandale, Millwood, Milton, Mohegan Heights, Mohegan Lake, Montrose, Mount Airy, Mount Hope, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, Murdock Woods, Murray Hill, Nepera Park, Nepperhan, New Rochelle, North Salem, North White Plains, Oceola Lake, Orienta, Oscawana, Ossining, Park Hill, Parkside, Peekskill, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Philipse Manor, Pinebrook, Pinebrook Heights, Pleasantside, Pleasantville, Pocantico Hills, Port Chester, Pound Ridge, Purchase, Purdys, Purdys Grove, Quaker Ridge, Quarry Heights, Residence Park, Ridgeway, Rochelle Heights, Rochelle Park, Roe Park, Rosedale, Rye, Rye Brook, Salem Center, Sarles Corners, Scarborough, Scarsdale, Scarsdale Downs, Scarsdale Park, Scotts Corners, Secor Gardens, Shenorock, Sherman Park, Shore Acres, Shrub Oak, Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow Manor, Somers, South Salem, Sparta, Spring Valley, Stanwood, Sun Haven, Sunny Brae, Tarrytown, Thornwood, Toddville, Tompkins Corners, Tuckahoe, Twin Lakes Village, Valhalla, Valley Pond Estates, Van Cortlandtville, Vernon Park, Verplanck, Victory Park, Vista, Waccabuc, Waverly,West Mount Vernon, White Birches, White Plains, Whitehall Corners, Wilmot Woods, Windmill Farm, Woodlands, Woodybrook, Worthington, Wykagyl, Wykagyl Park, Yonkers, Yorktown, and Yorktown Heights.

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Good home-repair books are a must for the toolbox

June 12, 2008 at 11:36 am · Filed under new jersey ·Tagged , , , ,

Do-it-yourselfers are made, not born — the successful ones read and follow directions. And the successful how-to book is the one that provides information succinctly, with plenty of clear illustrations, on projects that fit the skill levels of both the experienced and the neophyte.

Need to know: Not all how-to books are the same. Some dwell on the writer’s experience; others are limited to a particular topic, such as electricity or plumbing; many are just design books with pretty pictures. Greatest value for the money comes in books that provide insight into a variety of topics, are useful when you’re making minor alterations and repairs, or give background knowledge for when you deal with contractors or salespeople, so you don’t sound stupid.

Buyer beware: More than three decades of home-improvement TV has transformed the how-to book from unillustrated, wordy tome into picture book with expanded captions. But another result is celebrities lending their names to works actually penned by kids just out of college who wouldn’t recognize a reciprocating saw if they saw one. Don’t be fooled by a familiar face on the cover. It’s what’s inside that counts.

Web extras: How-to books have a short shelf life, primarily because products and tools change almost daily, and thus techniques do too. Many publishers now use Internet sites to provide continuing updates to their books, including animated step-by-step instructions and how-to videos, as well as links to products and services. Books with those add-ons are good buys.

The classics: These should be on every bookshelf.

– “Home Book” (Creative Homeowner Press, $40). A lot of do-it-yourself books assume the reader either has experience or will get better over time. This one does neither. It doesn’t shy away from complicated projects, such as installing a window or building a deck. But it also knows what’s most important to a typical homeowner, devoting several pages at the beginning to dealing with household emergencies — what to do in a power outage, for example. It provides basics on hand and power tools, but focuses on what you need to know rather than what is interesting to the writer. For the big stuff, there’s a remodeling guide that focuses on hiring professionals and, if necessary, resolving disputes with them.

– “Reader’s Digest’s New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual” ($29.95) goes a bit deeper into tools, including use and maintenance, and has more complicated projects for the high-end DIY type.

– “Reader’s Digest’s New Fix-It-Yourself Manual” ($35) is a rehab of the 1977 edition, dropping sections on auto maintenance and bookbinding in favor of VCR and teddy-bear repair. It’s simple, well-illustrated and, at 448 pages, thorough.

– “Outdoor Projects 1-2-3,” from Home Depot and Meredith Books ($24.95), is a volume of few words and many illustrations. Its chief selling point is its “Skill Scale,” which gauges how long a job will take based on your level of expertise. For example: “Building a patio roof requires carpentry skills. It will take 40 hours for the experienced person, 60 for those with intermediate skills, and 80 for the beginner.”

– “Reviving Your House: 500 Inexpensive and Simple Solutions to Basic Home Maintenance Issues” by Alan Dan Orme (Storey Books, $14.95). This is a must-buy. It will help you develop a checklist for keeping your house whole.

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NJ unemployment makes biggest jump since 2006

June 12, 2008 at 11:32 am · Filed under new jersey ·Tagged , , , , ,

New Jersey’s unemployment rate increased to 5.4 percent in May, making its largest monthly jump since April 2006. The figure is in line with the national unemployment surge last month to 5.5 percent, up from from 5 percent in the biggest national jobless jump since 1986.

“Clearly, the national labor market is struggling, and New Jersey is consistent with that trend,” said State Labor Commissioner David Socolow.

He urged the federal government to provide extended unemployment insurance benefits, “so that job seekers will have additional support while they look for work in this uncertain economy.”

Total employment was virtually unchanged in May, as New Jersey added 100 jobs to bring the workforce to a total of 4,071,700.

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Drilling off shore unlikely : NJ Gov. Corzine

June 11, 2008 at 2:33 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, new jersey, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal, tank removal help, vacuum excavation, vacuum excavation nj ·Tagged , , , ,

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine does not expect oil drills off the coast now that President Bush has lifted an executive ban on such exploration.

Corzine notes that Congress would have to take similar action, and a state would have to agree, before drilling could start.

The Democratic governor says drilling would have no short-term benefit to rising gas prices and would only accentuate the nation’s “addiction to foreign oil.”

New Jersey has 127 miles of bathing beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, which comprise a large part of its tourism industry.

Corzine was among several top New Jersey Democrats who last week said they want to permanently extend a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling from Maine to North Carolina.

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NJ officials warn of lamp oil poisonings

June 11, 2008 at 12:44 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, new jersey, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal, tank removal help, vacuum excavation, vacuum excavation nj ·Tagged , , ,

New Jersey officials have issued a health alert saying six people have been sickened by mistaking lamp oil for apple juice, including one person who died.

Bruce Ruck of the state Poison Information and Education System says the six drank small amounts of the oil, which resembles apple juice in color and is packaged in a similar container. Health officials haven’t identified the brand.

Ruck said Wednesday that the victims ranged in age from 18 months to 84 years. The 84-year-old died Monday.

Three of the survivors were hospitalized but have been released. Ruck said an 8-year-old suffered permanent lung damage from drinking the oil. A report by the Illinois poison control center identified 70 cases of torch oil poisonings nationwide during a two-year period ending in December.

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Breaking Oil News: G-8 to fight oil prices with efficiency, tech

June 8, 2008 at 3:27 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal help, vacuum excavation, vacuum excavation nj ·Tagged , , , ,

AOMORI, Japan (AP) — The world’s top industrialized nations and leading oil consumers pledged Sunday to fight skyrocketing energy prices by increasing efficiency and accelerating investment in new technologies, while urging producers to expand production.

Energy ministers from the Group of Eight countries, joined by China, India and South Korea, voiced concerns over record oil prices and said both producers and consumers would benefit from greater market stability.

Ministers, meeting in the northern Japanese city of Aomori, focused Sunday on how they could diversify their energy sources to both control rising demand for oil and rein in emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

“We simply must increase the level and breadth of investment all around the world,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. “That means promoting aggressive investment in renewable energy and other alternative energies technologies, as well as the development of tradition hydrocarbon resources.”

The 11 nations, which account for 65% of the world’s energy consumption, grappled with oil prices that have hit record highs. Prices made a massive 8% gain Friday to $138.54 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The G-8 countries — the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Britain — laid out ways of cutting their dependence on oil in a statement.

They pledged to launch 20 demonstration projects by 2010 on so-called “carbon capture and storage,” which would allow power plants to catch emissions and inject them into underground storage spaces.

While that technology is still in its infancy, proponents say it could eventually allow the expanded exploitation of the world’s abundant supply of cheap coal without polluting the environment and speeding global warming.

There were clear rifts, however, on how to approach the expansion of nuclear energy. The carefully worded joint statement called for assurances on safety and security of nuclear materials, but several nations said they were enthusiastic about building new reactors.

The International Energy Agency, in a report issued last week, estimated the world would have to construct 32 new nuclear power plants each year from now until 2050 as part of an effort to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 50%.

“I think we’re on the verge of a new nuclear age and that will be a positive thing for the world,” said John Hutton, British secretary of state for business enterprise and regulatory reform.

Germany, however, said it would not join the effort. Jochen Homann, Germany’s economics minister, said Berlin was sticking to its decision to phase out nuclear power.

The G-8, China, India and South Korea also established the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation to promote best practices in conserving energy.

While the participants called for more oil production, it could take months to get a response. Production levels have been flat for three years and Chakib Khelil, the president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, has said the group will make no new decision on output until a Sept. 9 meeting in Vienna.

The ministers met amid rising concerns that soaring oil prices could trigger global economic troubles. Fanning such fears, both Japan and the United States have announced higher unemployment rates in recent weeks.

“The situation regarding energy prices is becoming extremely challenging,” warned Akira Amari, Japan’s trade and energy minister. “If left unaddressed, it may well cause a recession in the global economy.”

The Sunday meeting followed a joint statement by five top energy consumers — the U.S., Japan, China, India and South Korea — that warned high prices were a menace to the world economy and more petroleum should be produced to meet rising demand. They argued the unprecedented prices were against the interests of both producers and consumers, and imposed a “heavy burden” on developing countries.

The group, however, diverged over oil subsidies. The International Energy Agency has estimated that oil subsidies in China, India and the Middle East totaled about $55 billion in 2007.

The United States urged countries such as China to lower oil supports, which buoy demand, while poorer developing nations said removing subsidies could trigger political and economic unrest.

 

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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What’s up with oil? (Besides the price …)! Oil Price Rise Effects?

June 8, 2008 at 3:21 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal, tank removal help, vacuum excavation, vacuum excavation nj ·Tagged , , , , ,

If you’ve picked yourself up off the floor or parked the car for the day (maybe weekend), take time to read some other perspectives on the oil frenzy:

Oil smashes to record above $139 a barrel: Oil roared to a new record on Friday as hedge funds that had bet on a decline in crude prices were forced to exit their short positions. … The rally was also supported by comments from Israel’s transport minister suggesting an attack on Iran’s atomic facilities looked “unavoidable” given the failure of sanctions to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. …

Technical analysis for crude oil – 6/6/2008: I believe that on the short term prices will keep inclining due to the weakness of the dollar if it remains to depreciate but on the longer run prices will have to start falling again due to global slowdown since demand is currently crippled or until economies pick up on growth.

Consumer anger as oil prices soar: Consumers are protesting around the world as oil prices continue rising, with US oil topping $139 a barrel after its biggest-ever one-day increase. The rises come after many goverments were forced to cut fuel subsidies and follow a report on Friday by Morgan Stanley, the US financial services firm, that crude could hit $150 a barrel by July 4. …

U.S. has few options as oil nations tighten grip: Resource nationalism in oil producing countries is cordoning off valuable supplies and the United States has precious few options to battle the trend amid a looming supply crunch. …

Act now to prick the oil price bubble: Bubbles come to an end eventually but there is no guarantee that this will happen soon. The global economy is likely to be forced into a serious crisis if we do not explore the possibility that this is a bubble that needs to be burst quickly. The market can then resume its trend, depending on whatever the fundamentals dictate. …

Why oil prices will tank: High-flying tech stocks crashed. The roaring housing market crumbled. And oil, rest assured, will follow the same path down. …

The oil shock of 2008: Time to reassess the potential for recent oil price increases to contribute to an economic downturn. …

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Do-It-Yourself Warning: Self-Disposing of Oil Tank Can Be a Problem!

June 8, 2008 at 3:14 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal, tank removal help, vacuum excavation ·Tagged , , ,

For any of a variety of reasons, you may at some point decide to switch from your current oil-fired furnace to one fueled by electricity or natural gas. Part of the changeover process is the removal or abandonment of the old fuel oil tank that supplied raw oil to the furnace, and there are some very strict procedures for dealing with these tanks properly.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not specifically regulate residential oil tanks unless they are leaking, and if you have knowledge that an oil tank is leaking you are required by law to report the situation immediately. Different state Environmental Protection Agencies and some local jurisdictions also have regulation ordinances in place, so your first step following an oil furnace changeover should be to contact your local city or county building department – they can tell you if local ordinances are in effect, and direct you to the proper agency.

While you are not actually required to do anything with a non-leaking tank, aging tanks can present a variety of potential health, environmental, and liability problems, so it’s still in your best interest to permanently and properly abandon the tank as soon as possible – especially if it’s located underground. This process, called “decommissioning,” involves draining any remaining fuel oil from the tank and then either removing the tank from the ground or filling it with sand. This prevents any possible future contamination from a leak as the tank degrades over time, and it also should eliminate the possibility of the ground sinking or even collapsing if the tank were to corrode through completely and collapse. Even if you do not intend to decommission the tank at this time, you should drain any remaining fuel oil to prevent possible soil contamination if the tank should rupture.

You can perform the work yourself, or you can hire it out to a contractor. The cost for decommissioning a fuel-oil tank typically starts at around $500 and goes up from there, depending on what’s involved. If you have a leaking tank that has contaminated the soil, EPA-regulated cleanup can easily run into the thousands.

Another issue with old oil tanks comes up if you are selling your home. Once you become aware of the existence of the tank, most states require that you and your real estate agent disclose its presence to the new buyers. Even at that, under the quirks of some of today’s laws and with the propensity for lawsuits in every conceivable situation, you will probably continue to have some potential liability for cleanup costs in the event of a current or future leak – even long after you’ve sold the house. Also at risk in some situations are any of the previous owners of the house — if the previous owners did not disclose the tank’s presence to you when you bought the house, they often must share liability for leaks, repairs, and cleanup as well.

If you have an oil tank that is no longer in use — whether it’s above or below ground — it is strongly recommended that you talk with your local city or county agencies first to find out about local regulations. If you want to decommission the tank or if you suspect a leak, the next step would then be to contact your local heating oil supplier to get the names of contractors in your area who are licensed for underground tank work, and get them out to take a look.

Once again, if the house is up for sale you need to discuss the situation with your real estate agent – who should, by the way, be fully aware of all laws and liabilities regarding oil tanks and disclosure laws. As a last resort you may also have to discuss things with an attorney if you feel you or the previous owners have some liability. Typically, oil tank situations can be handled with minimum expense and hassle. However, the potential liabilities today can be huge so don’t ignore the situation.

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Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) Ontario’ new regulations for heating oil storage tanks to counter oil spills

June 8, 2008 at 3:04 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal, tank removal help, vacuum excavation, vacuum excavation nj ·Tagged , , , ,

This article is a follow-up to our February 2002 edition for Ontario residents, which discussed the dangers of leaking fuel oil tanks, how to avoid problems and how to handle spills and leaks.

Unprotected and neglected storage tanks can potentially ruin a life-long investment. More than one million Canadian homes are heated with oil and over the past few years, there have been a startling number of tank failures – and the trend will grow as traditional steel storage tanks continue to corrode.

Due to condensation, water and sludge accumulating at the bottom, the majority of steel fuel oil tanks rust from the inside out. This damage is not immediately apparent and often presents itself as a catastrophic tank failure. Leaks can also be due to improper maintenance, damp locations and physical damage. Fuel oil leaks have raised insurance claims by 50% over the past few years, with clean-ups often costing more than the property was worth.

New Regulations

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) in Ontario has instituted new regulations for heating oil storage tanks to counter oil spills. The rules would require that only licensed installers install and regularly inspection tanks. Tanks would have to be tagged and registered and oil deliveries be made only to tanks that have the registration tag. Therefore, the responsibility for tank maintenance has been divided among the owner, the installer and the oil company.

Insurance Rebates

Insurance companies and governments have recognized that without immediate attention to the problem, leak incidences from residential fuel oil tanks will increase and costs for clean-up will skyrocket. Several insurance companies are now offering refunds to their clients to encourage them to replace their furnace and storage tank systems. Manufacturers are also offering rebates to customers for furnace and tank replacements.

Better Fuel Oil Tanks

Manufacturers of storage tanks have improved their products and warranties. Several new tank products have been marketed during the last few years. Steel tanks have gone to a heavier gauge to mitigate the effect of corrosion and perhaps increase their lifespan. New technologies for non-metallic tanks have emerged so that internal corrosion ceases to be an issue. Glass fiber tanks, in single wall and double wall versions, and the polyethylene tank, secondarily contained in a galvanized steel container, are two examples of new designs which are both proven, tested and ULC listed for the storage of fuel oil.

FICTION: An oil spill won’t cost any more than the deductible amount of a homeowner’s insurance.

FACT: Some insurance policies specifically exclude pollution coverage for leaks or spills from residential heating oil tanks. Homeowners should contact their insurance broker, and review their policy to confirm whether they have pollution coverage, and whether there are any limitations to their coverage.

FICTION: If an oil tank has handles, it’s less than 20 years old.

FACT: The presence or absence of handles is not an accurate indication of age. Only the serial number on the tank ID plate, or a valid date stamp would provide a reliable indication of age.

FICTION: The government says now, that oil tanks have to be changed every 12 years.

FACT: An existing above ground fuel-oil tank is considered approved provided the tank was installed in accordance with the code at the time of installation. As long as the tank is not leaking, there is no age at which the government demands the tank must be replaced.

FICTION: All underground tanks have to be removed immediately.

FACT: New regulations require that all underground tanks to be registered with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) by May 1, 2002 or fuel oil will not be delivered to the tank. Underground tanks that are 25 years and older, or of an unknown age, and not specially protected from corrosion are required to be removed by October 1, 2006.

FICTION: If a tank has been inspected, there won’t be any trouble getting insurance.

FACT: Insurance companies often reject new applications for coverage of homes with tanks over “X” years of age. Twenty years of age seems to be the most common denominator. Many insurance companies will not provide coverage for underground tanks under any circumstances

FICTION: Oil heating is smelly and expensive.

FACT: Oil furnaces, hot water tanks and storage tanks need not exhibit any odors when properly installed and maintained. Oil heating is a cost-effective alternative to natural gas.

A FEW MORE FACTS FOR ONTARIO RESIDENTS:

Homeowners are required to annually maintain their fuel oil appliances (boilers, furnaces, water heaters, etc.) by having a TSSA certified Oil Burner Technician service and clean the appliance.

Homeowners are required to have their fuel oil appliance installations safety inspected by their fuel oil supplier.

Fuel oil suppliers that find unsafe equipment are required to stop the delivery of fuel oil until the equipment is fixed.

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for the delivery of a range of safety services. This includes the administration of Ontario’s Technical Standards & Safety Act, 2000 within various industry sectors and the delivery of safety programs to the public.

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Steve Rich & Associates Release Helpful Guidelines To Help Homeowners, Businesses & Municipalities In Tank Related Problems!

June 4, 2008 at 6:02 pm · Filed under Concrete Repair, construction, environmental friendly, global warming, hydro excavation, maternity clothes, oil tank removal, oil tank removal new jersey, oil tank removal nj, ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete new jersey, soil cleanup, soil remediation, tank contractor, tank removal, tank removal help, vacuum excavation, vacuum excavation nj ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Newark, NJ (1888PressRelease) May 27, 2008 – Steve Rich & Associates announced today that they are offering the public a set of guidelines for finding a reputable oil tank removal service. This guidance covers all areas associated with tank removal such as, excavation, cleaning, filling, installation, commercial, residential, contaminated, fuel, aboveground, underground, locating, environmental, contractors, leaking, buried and compliance.

Steve Rich is hoping that by sharing the benefit of his 27 years in the tank removal business, he can help people connect with honest and reputable firms, and steer clear of the rest. The tips are presented in list form for ease of reading.

• Ask questions and expect answers. If you have not received a word of mouth referral, select a few possibilities to get you started and then pick up the phone and call each potential service provider. Find out how long the company has been in business, if they are local, national, international, and if they specialize in one area. Ask for their references, all contact information, as well as an outline of their company policies.

• Do your homework. Research the background of companies that you may be interested in working with. Check their references, their website if they have one, and ensure that you’re dealing with a provider who has current state licenses and certificates. If the business has a store front, go there and check it out.

• Ascertain whether or not their services match your needs. Find out the scale of work the company does. Do they specialize in one area, and does that specialty align with what you’re looking for? If they provide only local service, how far will they travel before increasing fees? It’s also important to find out when your job can be done. If they’re scheduling far in advance, you may have to wait quite awhile.

• Get a quote in writing. Ask to receive a complete price – all fees listed – and have the company commit to a working time frame to do the job. If your tank is beyond repair and requires dismantle and removal, make inquiries to determine if a provider is able to handle the job. You’ll want to find out the following:

• Area of specialization may be underground or above, fuel, chemical, or water tank removal. Ask which of these the company is experienced in.

• Insist on seeing the company’s state licensing. No license should be a sign for you to look elsewhere.

• Find out if they remove the piping, pumps and concrete foundations. If you don’t discover this until after the tank is removed, you may be faced with hiring a different contractor to come and finish the removal process.

• Do they service your sector – homeowner, business, municipality?

• Always get a quote in writing with all fees and work completion date listed. With some due diligence as mentioned above, you can protect yourself as much as possible from unreliable service and unscrupulous individuals.

The public is invited to contact Steve Rich & Associates (http://www.steve-rich.com/) with questions, or for further information.

Contact information:
Steve Rich & Associates, Inc.
One Passaic Street — Unit A
Wood-Ridge, New Jersey 07075
Phone: 973.458.1188
Toll-Free: 1.877.7.DEPEND
Fax: 973.458.1199
info ( @ ) steve-rich dot com
Serving Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset , Sussex , Union, and Warren Counties, including lower New York and Westchester County.

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Busby SEO Challenge : My SEO Competition Entry

June 2, 2008 at 4:06 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , ,

I am entered as Participant in the Busby Web Solutions Search Engine Optimisation Challenge ! Looking forward to won this contest.

Useful and informative information about Busby SEO Challenge Contest for everyone:

Regional or Global Participants: Anyone can join this Busby SEO Challenge contest from any part of the world without any restrictions. All the applicants for this Busby SEO Challenge will have to abide by the Terms & Conditions set by the Busby SEO Challenge team.

Legal Information: However, these isn’t any information is available about the legal conditions for this Busby SEO Challenge Contest. But this is expected that all the legal issues for Busby SEO Challenge will be resolved at Australian jurisdiction.

Payment Security Information: The Busby SEO Challenge Contest organising company is a good and reputed company in Australia providing various Web services so it looks like there is a security of the prize money and they will timely provide the prizes to the Busby SEO Challenge winners.

Terms and Conditions of Busby SEO Challenge : All the terms and conditions for this Busby SEO Challenge contest can be reviewed at the website of the organisers. However, main Busby SEO Challenge contest points are listed below.

Here are the basic rules of this contest:

Looking to prove that you are the best SEO specialist in the world?Welcome to the Busby Search Engine Optimisation World Cup!  
BUSBY Web Solutions
BUSBY is proud to invite SEO specialists, guru’s, masters, authorities, hot shots and aces (and anyone else who thinks they may have a shot at the pot) to take part in our Busby Web Solutions Search Engine Optimisation World Cup. The rules are simple and the rewards lucrative:
BUSBY Web Solutions
SUMMARY
Set up your own website and optimise it for the key phrase we announce on 1st June 2008. Welcome to the Busby Web Solutions Search Engine Optimisation World Cup!Entrants will be given 3 months to use their best endeavours to optimise a key phrase so that it appears as high as possible on www.google.com, when that particular key phrase is searched for. The winner will be the person whose site is ranked the highest, when that particular key phrase is searched for, on 31st August 2008, 12:00 midday, Perth, Western Australia. The runner up 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be awarded to those two entrants whose site is ranked the second and third highest.

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