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EPA Levies Large Penalty Against Arkansas Gas Stations

Release Date: 5/24/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has filed a complaint against an Arkansas retailer with a proposed penalty of more than $300,000 for failing to meet underground storage tank standards. EPA alleges that Troutman Oil Inc. has ignored federal and state requirements to prevent tank leaks at 10 gas stations Troutman operates in Austin, Beebe, Cabot, Little Rock and North Little Rock.

     "Just one gallon of gasoline will ruin five million gallons of drinking water. Leaks from underground storage tanks are the leading cause of groundwater contamination. Underground storage tank standards were created to protect communities' drinking water sources. Compared to other states, Arkansas  has a low compliance rate. Unfortunately, sometimes hefty penalties are required to remind owners of the importance of complying with these standards," Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

     The six-count complaint resulted from inspections of Troutman facilities in July and December 1998 and January 1999. EPA alleges that none of the company's 41 underground storage tanks were monitored for leaks. Standards require that every tank be monitored at least monthly.

     The complaint also says that at least one pressurized line had no leak detection device and, at four locations, these devices were not tested to ensure they worked. The company is also charged with not testing pressurized lines for leaks annually. Additionally, EPA alleges that four tanks and piping at a Little Rock facility are not treated to prevent corrosion and do not have overfill prevention equipment.

     Although no leaks were detected during these inspections, these alleged violations provide a variety of opportunities for leaks to occur and for leaks to go unnoticed, creating a threat to public health. Last fall, about 55 families were evacuated from a Dallas neighborhood for several days when an undetected leak from a gas station tank seeped into sewer lines. Officials were concerned about risk of explosion from gasoline vapors trapped in the lines.

     New underground storage tank standards took effect Dec. 22, 1998. They require tanks be equipped with spill and overfill prevention, leak detection and corrosion protection systems. Owners and operators were given 10 years to upgrade or empty and close existing tanks after these standards were adopted in 1988.

     Beginning in January, EPA and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) have increased inspections to improve the state's compliance rate. Arkansas recently adopted key legislation prohibiting fuel distributors from delivering to underground tanks that do not comply with current standards. Distributors would be fined as well as tank owners if deliveries are made to nonconforming tanks.

     Arkansas also has a low rate of reported leaks. The State recently halved owner's liability for cleanup from $15,000 to $7,500. This reduction should encourage owners to report leaks and help ADEQ ensure leaks are properly addressed.