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EPA Orders Chevron to Continue Investigation and Develop a Cleanup Plan for Chillum

Release Date: 12/11/2002
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543 & Joan Schafer, (215) 814-5143

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543 & Joan Schafer, (215) 814-5143

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has ordered Chevron U.S.A., Inc. to investigate the release of petroleum products from a former Chevron service station and to develop a cleanup plan to address contamination associated with the release.

EPA issued this order to Chevron on November 26, 2002. It takes effect today.

“This order formalizes EPA’s enforcement role and puts Chevron on a timetable to investigate the extent of contamination and then propose a permanent remedy at Chillum,” said Donald S. Welsh, mid-Atlantic regional administrator.

The order requires that Chevron investigate the site to determine the nature and extent of past petroleum releases from the service station at 5801 Riggs Road, Chillum, Md., located on the border between Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Gasoline leaked from the service station in 1989. Maryland officials ordered that the gasoline line be shut down and repaired, and told Chevron to clean up and monitor the underground plume. At the request of elected officials, in Oct. 2001, the U.S. EPA was brought in to oversee the cleanup.

Since the drinking water supply to the residential area is from a public water supply, there is no known risk to the drinking water from the contamination.

Today’s order formalizes EPA’s oversight and consolidates Chevron’s investigation under EPA’s authority. It mandates the development of a cleanup plan, including timetables and contingency provisions. These include a health risk plan and alternatives for corrective action.

The investigative phase of the order requires Chevron to determine both the extent and concentration of the contaminants beneath nearby residential areas, and to take action to protect residents from any immediate or potential health threat related to the Chevron release that may be discovered.

The order also requires Chevron to continue recovering petroleum from beneath the gas station, and any other locations where it finds petroleum products.

When Chevron has completed its investigation and recommended a cleanup plan, EPA will evaluate the plan and make it available for public comment.

EPA will continue to work with the community executive committee in sharing information and EPA will offer informational meetings for the public in January.

The order is available online at: https://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/chev7003.htm.