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Martin Oil Co. Settles Underground Storage Tank Violations

Release Date: 5/18/2005
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Martin Oil Co., owner of Martin General Store in Bellwood, Pa., has agreed to pay a $15,348 penalty to settle alleged violations of regulations designed to prevent fuel leaks from underground storage tanks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

EPA cited underground storage tank violations at Martin General Store, located at Routes 220 and 865 in Bellwood, Blair County. The alleged violations involved three underground storage tanks – one 8,000-gallon and two 4,000-gallon gasoline tanks.

A May 2004 EPA inspection revealed that the facility failed to conduct proper leak detection for its underground tanks, failed to maintain required records of its leak detection activities, and failed to investigate a suspected leak from the 8,000 gallon tank in February 2004.

The consent agreement requires Martin Oil to immediately comply with applicable underground storage tanks regulations. As part of the settlement, Martin Oil neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.

With millions of gallons of gasoline, oil, and other petroleum products stored in underground storage tanks throughout the U.S., leaking tanks are a major source of soil and groundwater contamination. EPA and state underground storage tanks regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks and avoid the costs of major cleanups. For more information on EPA’s underground storage tank program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/swerust1/.