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EPA Cites International Petroleum Corporation of Delaware for an Oil Spill in Chester County, Pa.

Release Date: 08/12/2010
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov

Philadelphia (Aug. 12, 2010) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed a Clean Water Act complaint against International Petroleum Corporation of Delaware in connection with a 30 gallon oil spill that entered Trout Run in Avondale, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

The spill occurred when 400 gallons of oil was discharged onto Pennsylvania State Highway Route 41 in Avondale.

The oil traveled through a nearby storm drain into Trout Run, which is a navigable water of the United States. The oil entered the waterway causing a sheen on the surface of Trout Run. EPA is seeking a penalty of $11,000.

Trout Run flows into the White Clay Creek which in turn flows into the Christiana River. White Clay Creek is considered an environmentally-sensitive watershed by the U.S. Congress under the National Wild and Scenic River Act.

The Clean Water Act prohibits discharges of oil into United States waterways and coastal areas in quantities that are harmful to the environment or public health. Freshwater rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands are particularly sensitive to oil spills, which may damage fish and bird habitat and threaten drinking water supplies. The law also requires owners of the fuel facilities to develop and implement spill prevention plans to protect public health and the environment from fuel spills.

The International Petroleum Corporation of Delaware, which is located at 505 S. Market St., Wilmington, Del., has the right to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalty.

For more information on EPA’s oil spill program, visit https://www.epa.gov/oilspill/index.htm