Islanders who have their oil tank inspected and tagged by this spring could get a big head start on next season’s home heating bill.
The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry and the Canadian Oil Heat Association are partnering on a joint initiative which gives Island homeowners the opportunity to win one of five prizes of $500 worth of home heating oil. Minister Jamie Ballem and Ron Klein, President of the PEI Petroleum Marketer’s Association, announced details of the Oil Giveaway promotion today.
“There are still about 35,000 oil tanks in PEI that have to be inspected and tagged with a PEI Oil Tank ID tag,” said Minister Ballem. “If all homeowners wait until the last minute, there simply won’t be enough inspectors to meet the demand, so we want to encourage Islanders to get their tank system tagged today. I want to recognize the industry for stepping forward with the idea for this unique partnership. I believe it will provide the added incentive people need to get their oil tank inspected and tagged today.”
The Government of PEI introduced changes to provincial regulations in 2001 to help eliminate the most common preventable causes of domestic oil spills - internal corrosion on tanks that are too old and improper tank installation, including inadequate weather protection. The regulations require all oil tank systems to be inspected by a licensed inspector to ensure they meet provincial standards; and tagged with a PEI Aboveground Oil Tank ID Tag which indicates the date by which the tank must be replaced. Since the regulations were introduced, about 15,000 tanks have been inspected and tagged.
To qualify for the Oil Giveaway, homeowners enter the identification number found on their PEI Aboveground Oil Tank ID Tag. Islanders who have already had their tank system tagged and those who get it done in the coming weeks and months will be eligible to win. A draw for $500 worth of home heating oil will be held the third Friday of each month from April 15 to August 19, 2005.
Mr. Klein said members of the PEI chapter of the Canadian Oil Heat Association are pleased to work with the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry on the Oil Giveaway promotion.
“Oil providers in PEI are dedicated to ensuring our customers are safe, warm and comfortable,” said Mr. Klein. “Having their oil tank system inspected and tagged gives homeowners the added peace of mind, knowing the system is properly installed and meets provincial standards.”
The Province of Prince Edward Island has set the standard for home heat tank safety in Canada. It is the first province or territory to have regulations on home heat tank installation and replacement. However, other provinces are following PEI’s lead.
Partners in the Oil Giveaway promotion are the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, the Canadian Oil Heat Association, C&C Fuels, Co-op Fuels Ltd., Irving Oil Limited, Island Petroleum; K&M Home Heating, Kenmac Energy, Kerr Controls, MacInnis Fuels Ltd., Noonan Petroleum Ltd., Palmer Fuels Inc., Souris Petroleum, Ultramar Limited and W.E. Carver Ltd.
Funding for the Oil Giveaway promotion is provided through the Atlantic provinces’ portion of the Canadian Oil Heat Association’s national marketing fund, Today’s Oil Heat. The national marketing fund is made up of contributions from the major oil companies and independent companies which are members of the Canadian Oil Heat Association.
For more information on the Oil Giveaway promotion, including complete contest rules, Islanders can speak to their local oil provider, call the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry at (902) 368-5042, or visit the Web site at www.gov.pe.ca/go/oilgiveaway.