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EPA Issues Complaint Against West Coast Cleaning and Preservation for Used Oil Violations on Oahu

Release Date: 9/30/2002
Contact Information: Mike Ardito, (415) 972-3081, ardito.michael@epa.gov

     SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today filed a complaint against West Coast Cleaning and Preservation of Honolulu for four used oil violations discovered during a compliance inspection in August 2000.
 
     The facility is subject to a monetary penalty of up to $27,500 per day per violation.
   
     According to the complaint, West Coast improperly stored and managed used oil at its transfer facility.  Specifically, the violations discovered were:

  -- failure to ship offsite thirteen containers of used oil before the 35-day storage limit;
  -- failure to install secondary containment for 19 containers of used oil;
  -- failure to properly mark the 19 containers of used oil;
  -- and failure to maintain records of analyses or information to ensure that the used oil was not hazardous waste.

     "Companies that handle this type of waste are required to meet certain protective standards," said Jeff Scott, the EPA's director for the waste management division for the Pacific Southwest region.  "West Coast Cleaning and Preservation didn't meet these standards, and EPA is taking action to ensure that any future operations are protective of the environment and the community."

     West Coast is classified as a used oil transporter and used oil transfer facility.  West Coast conducts tank and bilge cleaning operations at local shipyards and other facilities.  West Coast's customers include the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other industrial and marine facilities.