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U.S. EPA CITES MOBIL OIL AND GUAM WATERWORKS AUTHORITY FOR UNDERGROUND FUEL TANK VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 9/18/2001
Contact Information: Leo Kay, 415/744-2201, email: kay.leo@epa.gov, Norwood Scott, (415) 744-2081, email: scott.norwood@epa.gov

     SAN FRANCISCO B The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working jointly with Guam Environmental Protection Agency staff, cited Guam Waterworks Authority and Mobil-owned tanks at Cocos Island Resort and Cocos Boat Launch a collective $2,400 for recent violations of federal underground storage tank regulations.

     The EPA fined Cocos Island Resort and Cocos Boat Launch $600 each for failing to have adequate leak detection on their piping. Cocos Boat Launch was fined an additional $300 for failing to have overfill protection on one of their tanks. The EPA also issued a $900 fine to Guam Waterworks Authority for failing to submit notification forms for new tanks within 30 days of starting operations.

     The EPA also announced today that it had cited a facility on Tinian for recent underground storage tank violations as part of a larger effort to protect groundwater sources and local habitat in Micronesia.

     "The federal field citation program helps bring underground storage tanks into compliance as quickly as possible without putting the stations out of business. Leak prevention is critical for underground fuel storage tanks because a pin-sized hole can release 400 gallons of fuel in a year's time, enough to foul millions of gallons of fresh water,@ said Norwood Scott, EPA underground storage tank inspector for the Pacific Southwest. AGiven the limited amount of fresh water on Guam, the protection of underground water sources is vital.@

     A December 1998 federal deadline required regulated underground storage tanks to have spill and overfill equipment, corrosion protection, and release detection methods to prevent releases.

    The EPA frequently conducts unannounced tank inspections. Owners and operators who are cited are required to correct the violations, submit documentation, and pay the settlement amount within 30 days. Failure to comply subjects them to formal enforcement action that carries penalties of up to $11,000 per violation per tank per day in addition to the added cleanup costs for leaking tanks.

     More information on the EPA=s underground storage tank program can be obtained at: www.epa.gov/OUST/.