Richmond Company Settles Underground Storage Tank Violations

Press release:

Richmond Company Settles Underground Storage Tank Violations

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 11, 2012) -- Stratton Metals has settled alleged violations of underground fuel storage tank regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

The metals recycling company, located at 900 Brook Road, in Richmond, Va., agreed to pay a $5,098 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal and state regulations designed to prevent, detect, and control fuel leaks from underground storage tanks, or USTs.

EPA cited Stratton Metals for failing to maintain records of release detection testing from October 4, 2009 to March 22, 2012 on two USTs: a 6,000 gallon tank containing diesel fuel and a 2,000-gallon tank containing gasoline. Prior to the inspection, the company indicated that regular testing was conducted but no testing records were available.

As part of the settlement, the company neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but certified its compliance with applicable UST regulations. The settlement reflects the company’s cooperation with EPA’s investigation, and good faith compliance efforts.

With millions of gallons of gasoline, oil, and other petroleum products stored in USTs throughout the U.S., leaking tanks are a major source of soil and groundwater contamination. EPA and state UST regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks and to promptly detect and properly address leaks which do occur, thus minimizing environmental harm and avoiding the costs of major cleanups. For more information on EPA’s Underground Storage Tank program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/