| DEP
FINES TRANSPORTER FOR
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK VIOLATIONS
(04/146) TRENTON -- The Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) today announced that National Fuel Oil,
Inc., a motor fuel wholesale and delivery business located
in Newark, was fined $15,000 for delivering fuel to improperly
registered underground storage tanks.
"This enforcement action should remind fuel delivery
companies that they must follow laws protecting our water
supply from fuel contamination," said DEP Commissioner
Bradley M. Campbell. "DEP will continue to enforce
compliance with hazardous materials laws as part of our
larger effort to improve water quality and public health."
In March 2004, National Fuel Oil delivered unleaded gasoline
and diesel fuel to three improperly registered tanks at
the Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works in Essex
County. The State Water Pollution Control Act prohibits
the filling of improperly registered underground storage
tanks with motor fuel.
Proper tank registration enables DEP to inspect and regulate
tanks, prevent pollution and reduce leaks and contamination.
The Township of Bloomfield in May removed and closed the
underground storage tank system.
The National Fuel Oil enforcement action is part of DEP's
statewide underground storage inspection program to prevent
pollution by reducing the number of leaking tanks. DEP is
establishing a group of 18 state and county inspectors to
conduct compliance inspections every three years at each
of the state's 8,000 facilities that contain regulated underground
storage tanks.
Owners and operators of underground storage tanks must
register their tank systems with DEP on a three-year cycle.
Testing and cleanup work is underway by responsible parties
at more than 4,000 sites statewide where leaks have contaminated
soil or ground water.
DEP provides compliance assistance to owners and operators
of facilities with underground storage tank systems. State
and federal laws require all owners and operators to maintain
leak detection, corrosion and overfill prevention and other
measures to prevent tank leaks.
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