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EPA Cites City of Wheeling for Underground Storage Tank Violations

Release Date: 7/16/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited the City of Wheeling, W. Va. for violating regulations designed to prevent fuel leaks from underground storage tanks.

EPA has issued an administrative complaint against the city, which owns and operates the Wheeling Municipal Garage at 12 Hunter Ave. The garage has two 10,000 gallon underground gasoline tanks, two 8,000 gallon and one 2,000 gallon diesel fuel underground storage tanks, and above-ground storage containers capable of holding at least 7,500 gallons of used oil.

EPA alleges a December 2000 inspection revealed that the garage failed to conduct proper leak detection for its underground tanks and failed to conduct bimonthly tests of the tanks’ corrosion protection systems. The complaint also alleges the garage failed to clearly mark or label used oil containers at the facility. EPA seeks a $12,373 penalty for these alleged violations.

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 regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks, and thus avoid the costs of major cleanups.

The City has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalty.