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EPA Fines Three Waste Oil Handlers In Puerto Rico A Total Of $89,299 For Violating Federal Law

Release Date: 05/20/1998
Contact Information:

(#98056) SAN JUAN, P.R. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued complaints and proposed fines totaling $89,299 against two municipalities and one company that mismanaged used oil in Puerto Rico.

"The mismanagement of used oil has been identified as a major environmental problem in Puerto Rico," EPA Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox stated. "Even a small oil spill can contaminate groundwater or surface water that people rely on for a safe source of drinking water. This is an especially important issue in Puerto Rico, where it is important to maintain as many sources as possible in the event of drought conditions."

The Municipality of Las Piedras' Department of Public Works failed to respond to a spill of used oil, to determine whether the used oil was a hazardous waste, and to store its used oil in containers in good condition. The proposed penalty for these violations is $33,000.

Owens Illinois de Puerto Rico, a glass manufacturer in Vega Alta, failed to respond to a spill of used oil and to fully answer an EPA request for information about the spill. EPA is proposing a penalty of $34,299 for the violations.

The Municipality of Bayamon's Department of Transportation failed to respond to an EPA request for information regarding used oil spills. EPA is proposing a penalty of $22,000 for this violation.

Lack of response to EPA requests in the case of Owens Illinois and Bayamon's Department of Transportation prevented EPA from determining whether the used oil spills that occurred over the years were cleaned up and if the soil, potentially contaminated with used oil, was removed and disposed of properly. Failure to provide information is against the law and will continue to be the subject of penalties in the future. The mismanagement of used oil poses significant environmental problems when leaks or spills contaminate soil, groundwater or surface waters. EPA developed Used Oil Management Standards, which became effective on March 8, 1993, to prevent such problems. These management standards and procedures apply to used oil generators, transporters, processors, re-refiners, burners and marketers.

Approximately 6 million gallons of motor oil are sold in Puerto Rico annually, but each year the disposal of about 3 million gallons is not recorded and much of that is disposed of improperly, contaminating the surface and groundwater of the Island. Compliance is known to be particularly poor among smaller volume used oil handlers, such as auto repair shops.

In 1996, EPA conducted seminars and provided educational assistance to those handling used oil in Puerto Rico. EPA has also provided the government of Puerto Rico with $400,000 for the development of a Used Oil Recycling/Management Program.

For more information contact:
Carl Soderberg
EPA Caribbean Environmental Protection Division
1492 Ponce De Leon Avenue
Santurce, PR 00909
Voice: 787-729-6951 FAX: 787-729-7747 E-Mail: soderberg.carl@epamail.epa.gov