Pennsylvania Oil Supplier Fined $40,000 for Spill Prevention Violations
In a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the John R. Young & Company has agreed to pay a $40,000 penalty for allegedly failing to conduct drills or exercises to help prepare for a potential spill from its oil storage facility in Woxall, Pa. The company was also cited for not maintaining a copy of its spill prevention plan at the facility.
Under the Clean Water Act, owners of oil storage facilities must have a plan to minimize the risk of spills, including periodic exercises. The Woxall facility has the capacity to store more than one million gallons of oil and is located less than one-half mile from the Perkiomen Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River. A significant spill at the facility could result in harmful quantities of oil flowing into these water bodies. EPA officials inspected the facility in September 2008.
The settlement penalty takes into account the company’s cooperation with EPA in resolving the alleged violations and complying with applicable regulations. As part of the settlement, the company did not admit or deny liability for the violations alleged by EPA.
The company supplies fuel and lubrication products for industrial, automotive, and transport applications.