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EPA Settles Underground Storage Tank Violations with Virginia Company

Release Date: 04/09/2009
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA (April 9, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled violations of underground fuel storage tank regulations at two locations in Barboursville, Va., owned and operated by T. Bradley Lam d/b/a Lam’s Lumber Company,

Mr. Lam has agreed to pay a $70,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of the federal regulations designed to prevent, detect, and control fuel leaks from underground storage tanks, or USTs.

At D’s Market, 5515 Spotswood Tail in Barboursville, and at Lam’s Lumber, 4761 Constitution Highway, Barboursville, EPA cited Mr. Lam for failing to: provide tank release detection, test line leak detectors, perform periodic line release detection, and provide assurance of financial responsibility.

At Lam’s Lumber, EPA also cited Mr. Lam for failing to notify the Virginia Department of Environment Quality when two tanks were installed in 1998, until 2007.

As part of the settlement, Mr. Lam neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but certified its current compliance with applicable UST regulations.

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: https://www.epa.gov/swerust1/.