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U.S. EPA CITES PETROLEUM FACILITY OWNERS FOR FUEL TANK VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 7/20/1999
Contact Information: Lois Grunwald, U.S. EPA, 415-744-1588, Grace O. Garces, Guam EPA, 671-475-1623

     Two facilities on Guam cited for major violations

      SAN FRANCISCO--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cited the Postal Service in Tamuning and Mobil Y Seng-Song Service Station in Dededo, both on Guam, for major violations of federal underground storage tank regulations, and other fuel tank owners were warned that they face stiff penalties if they do not comply with federal law.

     Four other facilities were cited for minor violations. The citations resulted from underground storage tank inspections conducted by EPA inspectors with assistance from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA), and Hawaii Department of Health staff.  EPA inspected 12 facilities out of about 100 regulated underground storage tank facilities on Guam.

     Leak prevention is critical for underground fuel storage tanks because unseen leaks caused by corrosion, overfills or spills can pollute underground water supplies. A hole the size of a pin can release 400 gallons of fuel in a year's time, enough to foul millions of gallons of fresh water. Given the reliance on groundwater resources on Guam, the protection of underground water sources is vital. To prevent releases, all regulated underground storage tanks were required by law to have spill and overfill equipment, corrosion protection, and release detection methods in place by December 1998.

     Now that the deadline has passed, owners and operators of substandard tanks face penalties of up to $11,000 a day per violation in addition to cleanup costs for leaking tanks. In the future, EPA and Guam EPA plan to conduct unannounced inspections.

     More information on EPA's underground storage tank program can be obtained at: www.epa.gov/OUST/ or by calling Norwood Scott at 415-744-2081 or Ramon Mendoza at 415- 744-1591.