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City of Beckley, W.Va. Settles Violations of Underground Storage Tank Regulations

Release Date: 04/27/2006
Contact Information: Mike Frankel, 215-814-2665

PHILADELPHIA - The City of Beckley, W.Va., has settled alleged violations of regulations designed to prevent leaks of fuel and hazardous wastes from underground storage tanks (USTs), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. Under a settlement agreement with EPA, the City will pay a $14,099 penalty and organize a “Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day” for local residents.

The settlement announced today resolves alleged underground storage tank violations concerning two 3,000-gallon underground gasoline and diesel fuel tanks at the City of Beckley Garage, located at 401 Adair St. in Beckley. According to EPA, the City failed to provide required leak detection and spill prevention safeguards for these tanks in the 4½ years before the tanks were removed in October 2005; failed to provide anti-corrosion cathodic protection for the tanks and piping; and failed to provide adequate financial assurance of ability to respond to potential leaks.

As part of the settlement, the City of Beckley has agreed to sponsor and organize a “Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day” within a year. This community event will give city residents an opportunity to safely dispose of hazardous wastes such as gasoline, solvents, paints, cleaning agents, used oil, old batteries, etc., which might otherwise be improperly disposed of, or sent to landfills. This $46,850 project promises to reduce hazardous waste contamination of landfills, sewer systems, soil, groundwater, and waterways.

With millions of gallons of gasoline, oil, and other petroleum products stored in USTs nationwide, leaking tanks are a major source of potential soil and groundwater contamination. EPA and state UST regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks and to promptly detect and properly address leaks which do occur. These regulations help minimize environmental harm and avoid the costs of major cleanups. For more information on EPA’s Underground Storage Tank program, visit https://www.epa.gov/swerust1/.