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Eastern Petroleum Corp. of Annapolis Settles Violations of Fuel Storage Tank Regulations

Release Date: 10/12/2005
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Eastern Petroleum Corp. of Annapolis, Md., has settled alleged violations of federal regulations designed to prevent fuel leaks from underground storage tanks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. In a consent agreement with EPA, Eastern Petroleum agreed to pay a $75,000 penalty for alleged underground storage tank violations at its fuel storage facility at 33 Hudson Street.

EPA cited Eastern Petroleum for failing to properly conduct required leak detection monitoring for five 30,000-gallon heating oil tanks and for failing to comply with corrosion protection requirements for the five heating oil tanks. The company was also cited for failing to comply with corrosion protection for five other tanks, including three 30,000-gallon diesel fuel tanks, one 10,000-gallon kerosene tank, and one 2,000-gallon tank for spilled petroleum products.

The settlement announced today reflects the company’s cooperation with EPA and good faith efforts to resolve the cited violations. As part of the settlement, Eastern Petroleum neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations. Prior to the settlement Eastern Petroleum significantly upgraded both its release detection system and its corrosion protection system. Eastern Petroleum has certified that it is currently in compliance with applicable underground storage tank regulations.

With millions of gallons of gasoline, oil, and other petroleum products stored in underground storage tanks throughout the U.S., leaking tanks are a major source of soil and groundwater contamination. EPA and state underground storage tank regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks, and to promptly detect and properly address leaks, thus minimizing environmental harm and avoiding the costs of major cleanups. For more information on EPA’s underground storage tank program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/swerust1/.