Nov. 3, 2002 – The owner of several St. Croix gas stations has been socked with more than $82,000 in fines by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly violating regulations on underground tanks used for storing gasoline.
Virgin Petroleum Inc., six affiliated companies and owner Yusef Jaber were ordered by the EPA to comply with regulations that require owners and operators of underground storage tanks to:
– Have systems that detect leaks.
– Close tanks properly when they are not in use.
– Respond to EPA's requests for information.
– Have sufficient insurance to provide for cleanup in the event of a leak.
"EPA enforces these underground storage tank regulations to protect the health of the residents of St. Croix and the integrity of the island's sensitive ecosystems." the agency's regional administrator, Jane M. Kenny, said. "When underground storage tanks leak oil or gasoline, they can contaminate drinking water supplies and seriously degrade the environment."
Virgin Petroleum and Jaber must pay the penalty and comply fully with the regulations or request a hearing to dispute the EPA findings and requirements. The facilities where the violations are alleged to have occurred are operated by Virgin Petroleum under seven corporate names: Virgin Petroleum and VP-Princess, VP-Diamond, VP-Two Brothers, VP-Peter's Rest, VP-Boetzberg, and VP-Glynn.
The capacity of underground storage tanks ranges from a few hundred gallons to 50,000 or more. The tanks are used to store gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, other fuels, waste oil and hazardous substances at gas stations, marinas, government facilities and large industrial sites, according to the EPA.
Leaks from tanks often contaminate the soil and ground water around them and the water in wells within the area of contamination. Leaks also can cause harmful gasoline vapors to settle into underground areas of homes. Petroleum releases can contaminate water, making it unsafe or unpleasant to drink; result in fire and explosion hazards; and produce short- and long-term health problems.
Underground storage tanks have long been the nation's No. 1 source of ground water contamination, with more than 30,000 leaks and spills from tanks reported annually. EPA and state regulations were put in place to prevent the release of petroleum from the tanks and to ensure an immediate response to any leak that does occur.
Information about the Environmental Protection Agency's underground storage tank program can be found at its Office of Underground Storage Tanks Web site.
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