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PORTLAND HEATING OIL CO. TO PAY $10,000 FOR FAILING TO REPORT STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AT PHILADELPHIA FACILITY

Release Date: 1/28/1999
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled its lawsuit against Portland Heating Oil Co., a Philadelphia-based oil distributor, requiring the company to pay a $10,000 penalty for alleged violations of the federal hazardous chemical reporting statute.

The company violated the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act by failing to file required reports on three hazardous materials stored at its facility at 2044 West Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia.

The regulations require companies that store over a threshold quantity of hazardous chemicals to file "material safety data sheets" -- or a list of chemicals requiring the data sheets -- with the state and local emergency response agency and the local fire department. The data sheets describe the health risks  associated with the chemical, and safety precautions for handling or accidental exposure.  

Regulations also require companies to annually update state and local emergency response agencies, and the local fire department, on the maximum and average amount of hazardous chemicals present at the facility.  

EPA’s administrative complaint alleges that the company failed to file required material safety data sheets and annual inventory reports for No. 2 fuel oil, gasoline and kerosene that the company stored at its facility from 1993 to 1995.


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