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EPA CITES ERIE PETROLEUM INC. FOR WETLAND OIL SPILL

Release Date: 1/12/1999
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

TROY, Pa. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Erie Petroleum, Inc. for an oil spill in Troy Township, Bradford County, Pa.

According to EPA’s administrative complaint, an Erie Petroleum tanker truck spilled about 500 gallons of oil into a wetland tributary of Sugar Creek on July 21, 1998. The oil spill occurred when the tanker truck overturned on a sharp curve. EPA is seeking a $5,460 penalty for this alleged violation of the Clean Water Act.

The Clean Water Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, prohibits discharges of oil or oil products into United States waterways and coastal areas in quantities that are harmful to the environment or public health or welfare. The law also establishes a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) program that requires companies to prepare oil spill prevention and response plans, and to report prohibited discharges immediately to a national response center.

The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violation and proposed penalty.