PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 18 the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PADOT) will pay $26,066 after allegations of underground storage tank violations in Brownsville and Franklin, where the facilities stored diesel fuel.
The EPA alleged that at these facilities PADOT failed to conduct proper monitoring or testing of detectors on pipe lines for leaks. Additionally, PADOT purportedly failed to maintain proper monitoring records regarding the underground tanks. The EPA notes that none of the alleged violations involve releases or leaks from the tanks or pipes.
The Brownsville facility is at the intersection of state Routes 40 and 88, while the Franklin facility is at 1460 Pittsburgh Road.
As part of the settlement, PADOT will strengthen its compliance with environmental regulations at the two facilities. Doing so will help protect communities and the environment from potential exposure to harmful chemicals.
The EPA has regulations in place regarding storage tanks to reduce the risk of underground leaks. Millions of gallons of petroleum products and hazardous substances are stored in underground tanks around the country.