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EPA OFFERS COMPLIANCE DEADLINE EXTENSION FOR 14 TANK OWNERS

Release Date: 6/12/2001
Contact Information: Mike Ardito, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-2328

     SAN FRANCISCO- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has agreed to allow 12 gas stations, a hospital fuel tank and an emergency generator fuel tank in American Samoa to have an additional 6-12 months to comply with federal underground storage tank laws and pay nominal fines if they sign proposed settlement agreements with the agency.

     Tank inspections conducted in January at 18 facilities by the EPA and the American Samoa EPA uncovered major violations at seventeen facilities, including: tanks lacking required release detection equipment; facilities lacking insurance to protect against spills and leaks; and tanks that failed to meet 1998 upgrade standards.  During inspections the EPA warned fuel tank owners and operators they could face stiff penalties if they did not comply with federal law.  Owners of two tanks, which inspectors discovered were leaking, have opted to remove the tanks and clean up the surrounding area with oversight from the American Samoa EPA.

     "The situation in American Samoa is unique due to its remote location so the EPA worked hard to find a solution that ensured protection of public health and the environment," said Norwood Scott, EPA underground storage tank inspector for the Pacific Southwest.  "The purpose of the incentive-based agreement is to bring underground storage tanks into compliance as quickly as possible without putting the stations out of business."

     Under the proposed agreements each facility will pay a fine of $250 and additional penalties at the six- and 12-month points based on any continuing violations.  Facilities that do not enter into the proposed settlements could face penalties of up to $11,000 per day, per tank, for each violation.

     Leak detection, required by December 1993, is critical for underground fuel storage tanks because unseen leaks can pollute underground water supplies. A hole the size of a pin can release 400 gallons of fuel in a year's time, enough to foul millions of gallons of fresh water.

     Groundwater protection is vital for islands, like American Samoa, that rely on groundwater as a drinking water source. All regulated underground storage tanks were required by law to have spill and overfill equipment, and corrosion protection in place by December 22, 1998.