EPA penalizes Anacortes, Washington used oil bulk storage and processing facility $57,800 for Clean Water Act violations
SEATTLE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Venoil, LLC of Anacortes, Washington will pay $57,800 for violations of the Clean Water Act’s Spill, Prevention, Control and Countermeasure regulations.
The goal of the Clean Water Act’s SPCC regulations is to prevent oil from reaching streams, rivers, wetlands, and adjoining shorelines, and to contain discharges of oil. The regulations require certain facilities to develop and implement Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plans and establishes procedures, methods, and equipment requirements.
Venoil, LLC failed to inspect and test its tanks and facilities for leaks and spills, and failed to create procedures to properly notify authorities when spills occur.
Recycling and reusing used oils is preferable to disposal and can provide great environmental benefits. For example, recycled used motor oil can be re-refined into new oil, processed into fuel oils, and used as raw materials for the petroleum industry.
“Petroleum products are an integral part of a strong national economy and federal support is essential for the continued increase of recycling and reuse of used oil products,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “But such recycling and reuse storage and processing activities must be done in compliance with spill prevention requirements to protect public health, worker safety, and our environment.”
Venoil has initiated a formal tank integrity testing and inspection program and taken other SPCC-related corrective actions.
Additional details can be found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.