  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - July 21, 2009
09-173
YAKIMA – A Grandview fuel distributor has agreed to pay $10,000 to settle a penalty incurred earlier this year for not complying with underground storage tank requirements designed to protect the environment from petroleum leaks. In addition, the company will implement an environmental safety training program for all its petroleum service station employees.
In April 2009, R.E. Powell Distributing was issued a $30,000 penalty by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for violating environmental safety regulations associated with operating a fuel depot.
R.E. Powell distributes fuel to numerous gas stations and convenience stores from the large Grandview facility where petroleum products are stored in eight registered underground tanks ranging in capacity from 2,000 to 30,000 gallons each.
In order to satisfy the remaining $20,000 portion of the penalty, R.E. Powell will create a training program for service station and convenience store employees. The training will provide basic knowledge on how underground storage tanks operate and how to respond to emergencies such as a fuel spill or fire.
“Training the people who are responsible daily to respond quickly to emergencies, such as a fuel spill, will ultimately increase safety to the public and better protect the environment,” says Ecology underground tank inspector Christina Zerby.
If the company fails to complete the requirements of the Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) within the guidelines of the settlement, payment of the $20,000 balance of the penalty will be immediately due to Ecology.
The public will have until Aug. 24, 2009, to comment on the settlement agreement. Comments and questions may be directed to Christina Zerby, Department of Ecology, 15 W Yakima Avenue, Suite 200, Yakima, WA 98902, or by email to: czer461@ecy.wa.gov, and phone: (509) 454-7833.
R.E. Powell has 30 days to pay the $10,000 penalty.
###
Media Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, 509- 575-2610; jred461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
