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EPA TO INSPECT 100 MISSOURI UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

Release Date: 10/03/2005
Contact Information:

Environmental News
Shawntell Martin
(913) 551-7676
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 3, 2005

EPA TO INSPECT 100 MISSOURI UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

EPA Region 7 will inspect 100 underground storage tank (UST) facilities in Missouri starting today to help Missouri Department of Natural Resources meet its environmental goals.

Regional Administrator Jim Gulliford said, “These inspections will help EPA and MDNR identify any potential problems with underground storage tank systems. Underground storage tank requirements are essential because they represent the front line of defense to prevent gasoline from leaking into the soil and ground water.”

Gulliford said MDNR has obtained federal approval for its UST program that requires that MDNR perform and/or oversee UST inspections. He said EPA is confident that the state will resume state-lead UST inspections.

The federal inspections will give EPA an opportunity to share operations and maintenance requirements and the latest leak technology information with facility owners and operators.

Inspections will take place in Kansas City, St. Louis, St. Joseph, Springfield, Joplin, Jefferson City, Osage Beach, Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas.

EPA randomly selected 100 of 3,757 registered underground storage tank facilities.

Each facility has been notified by mail and advised of information and records that need to be available for review by the inspectors. A need to perform additional inspections in other parts of Missouri will be decided later.