DEP: CrossAmerica Partners To Pay $125,000 Penalty For Violations At 18 Underground Storage Tank Facilities In SE PA

On December 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced a consent assessment of civil penalty (CACP) with CrossAmerica Partners, LP (CrossAmerica) to address storage tank violations that occurred at 18 storage tank facilities between January 2019 and October 2020. 

CrossAmerica operates 26 storage tank facilities, primarily fuel stations, in the Greater Philadelphia area. 

At the time the CACP was offered, all outstanding violations had been corrected; the company has agreed to pay a $125,000 civil penalty.

Certified tank inspectors conducted Facility Operations Inspections (FOIs) at each of the 18 facilities during 2019 and observed a number of violations at each location.

Across the 18 facilities and underground storage tank systems, some of the violations noted in the CACP include: 

-- 13 facilities had liquid inside of the underground storage tank containment areas

-- 14 facilities were operating without a trained Class C operator present during business hours

-- 16 facilities did not provide adequate release detection records 

-- Four facilities did not have emergency procedures posted

-- Three facilities did not have current tank registration or permit certification available onsite 

DEP’s mission is to protect Pennsylvania’s air, land and water from pollution through the enforcement of applicable statutes and regulations. 

While most of the violations outlined in the CACP are administrative in nature, it is imperative that facilities are run by trained operators and maintain current, accurate and available records. 

Fortunately, no spills or other environmental impacts resulted from these instances of non-compliance. 

“We are glad CrossAmerica has been cooperative and agreed to bring all 18 facilities into compliance,” said Southeast Regional Director Pat Patterson. “While DEP might not be the first thing that comes to mind when getting gas at a fuel station, there are several important regulations in place that keep the tanks, employees, and customers safe. Whether we’re inspecting the integrity of a storage tank or making sure emergency procedures are posted, DEP is committed to holding each regulated facility to the highest levels of compliance.”

The $125,000 civil penalty payment will go into the Commonwealth’s Storage Tank Fund which covers the operating costs of the storage tank programs, including activities necessary for the elimination of releases from storage tanks and other activities necessary to meet the requirements of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act.

Click Here for a copy of the Consent Assessment.  Media questions should be directed to Virginia Cain, DEP Southeast Regional Office, 484-250-5808 or send email to: vicain@pa.gov. 

[Posted: December 17, 2020]  PA Environment Digest