Cleanup Loans and Environmental Assistance to Neighborhoods (CLEAN) Program
🏛 Department of Toxic Substances Control (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for petroleum underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators in California who need financial assistance for cleanup costs. Small businesses and individuals who own or operate petroleum USTs can apply. The fund reimburses expenses for leaking UST cleanup and helps meet federal and state financial responsibility requirements. Eligible parties must demonstrate they own or operate a petroleum UST requiring remediation.
Activities supported include assessment, remediation, and cleanup of petroleum UST releases. The fund covers costs directly tied to addressing unauthorized releases from petroleum systems. This is a reimbursement program, so applicants must have incurred eligible cleanup expenses.
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Program description
DTSC’s CLEAN Loan Program provides loans for property owners, developers, community groups, and local governments to investigate, cleanup and redevelop abandoned and underutilized urban properties. Loan used for the cleanup or removal of hazardous materials where redevelopment is likely to have a beneficial impact on the property values, economic viability, and quality of life of a community. Per Health and Safety Code § 80370, applicant must not have any: Felony convictions or misdemeanors involving the regulation of hazardous materials; Felony convictions or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude, including, but not limited to, the crimes of fraud, bribery, falsification of records, perjury, forgery, conspiracy, profiteering, or money laundering; or Violations of any administrative order or agreement issued by or entered into with any federal, state, or local agency that requires response action at a site. Once the Loan agreement has been executed, a check will be made out to the applicant. The applicant must be able to provide the DTSC with eligible costs and corresponding receipts. Period of Performance: Dependent on remediation/redevelopment. The loan repayment period begins upon certification or completion of the response action or two (2) years after disbursement of the loan funds, whichever comes first. The repayment period is up to seven (7) years.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Proof of UST ownership or operation
- Documentation of unauthorized release
- Itemized cleanup expense receipts and invoices
- Remediation records and contractor information
Program contact
- 📧 Maryam.Tasnif-Abbasi@dtsc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-714-484-5489
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | — | — | — |
| 2022-2023 | — | — | — |
| 2020-2021 | — | — | — |
| 2021-2022 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 2024-2025 | — | — | — |
| 2025-2026 | — | — | — |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this fund?
Petroleum UST owners and operators, including small businesses and individuals. You must own or operate a petroleum underground storage tank in California.
What expenses does the fund cover?
Reimbursement for cleanup costs related to leaking petroleum USTs. Eligible expenses relate directly to remediation of unauthorized releases.
Is there a deadline?
The fund operates on a rolling basis, meaning applications are accepted on an ongoing schedule. Check with California's State Water Resources Control Board for current submission procedures.
How much funding is available per award?
Award amounts are not specified in the program description. Contact the administering agency for typical funding levels and limits.
Do I need to provide matching funds?
No cost-sharing requirement exists for this program. The fund provides full reimbursement for eligible cleanup expenses.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document all cleanup costs carefully with receipts and invoices to support your reimbursement claim.
- Verify your UST qualifies as a petroleum system under state and federal definitions before applying.
- Ensure your cleanup activities comply with California environmental regulations and standards.
- Contact the State Water Resources Control Board early to confirm your specific cleanup expenses are eligible.
- Keep detailed records of the unauthorized release and all remediation steps taken to support your application.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting incomplete expense documentation or invoices without proper itemization. Failing to verify the UST qualifies as eligible under state/federal rules. Claiming costs for cleanup activities that don't meet regulatory standards or weren't performed by qualified contractors.
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