News Releases from Region 03

EPA Settlement with Beltsville, Md. Company Improves Oil Spill Prevention and Protects Anacostia River

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 23, 2015) - As part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Greenlight WVO LLC, located in Beltsville, Maryland, has come into compliance with oil spill prevention requirements to resolve EPA claims that the company was not prepared to prevent or contain an oil spill. These spill prevention improvements will better protect Beltsville residents and the local waterway, Indian Creek, a tributary of the Anacostia River.

In addition, Greenlight, a used cooking oil recycling company, has agreed to pay a penalty of $40,000.

EPA alleges that Greenlight had not properly prepared or implemented a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure plan ("SPCC plan"), as required by the Clean Water Act. These plans are required to minimize the risk of spills polluting nearby waterways.

Specific allegations include the lack of a properly designed drainage and containment system to contain oil, if spilled. Recycled cooking oil, like all types of oil, can be harmful to aquatic ecosystems and water quality, if discharged.

At the time of the EPA inspection, there were over 152,000 gallons of aboveground oil storage capacity at Greenlight's facility located within 1500 feet from Indian Creek.

More information on oil spill prevention: http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/spcc/index.htm