How to get $60K to clean oil tank contamination in Washington

If your house was built before 1980, there’s a good chance it has a buried heating oil tank. If it leaks? Cleanup can cost over $100,000!

Good news: Washington’s Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) covers up to $60,000 of the remediation cost.

Bad news: The program ends July 1, 2025. And you only have 180 days after closing to transfer the coverage. It’s free, but you must act fast.

Here's the fine print:

• The previous owner had to register the tank before July 2, 2020

• You must transfer the insurance within 180 days of closing

• The entire program sunsets July 1, 2025

• It's free, but you have to actually do it

Pro tip: This should be one of the first things you do after popping champagne at closing.

Why nobody tells you:

• Sellers forget. They’re too busy spending your money.

• Agents don’t always know. They close deals. They don’t dig up yards.

• It's buried deep on a government website that no one reads.

Your Action Plan:

• Check for an oil tank:

  • Review the property survey and disclosure forms

  • Scan the yard for a mysterious metal cap or vent pipe

• Transfer the registration ASAP

• Missed the deadline? You've got one last shot: Apply for the Heating Oil Loan and Grant Program open May 1-June 14, 2025

Forward this to your real estate agent with the subject line: "Why didn't you mention this?"