The settlement, approved by the federal court in Boise, Idaho, on October 1, covers a range of violations beginning as early as 1991 and ending in 2009. The companies have agreed to pay the penalty from the sale of their properties in Idaho and Oregon.
The violations occurred at former [image-nocss] gas stations owned by the Goodman Oil companies in Boise, Homedale, Nampa, Weiser and Lewiston, Idaho. EPA inspectors identified fuel storage tanks at the stations that were not compliant with EPA requirements. They risked contaminating groundwater, which is a primary source of drinking water for much of Idaho.
The facilities had a range of violations that included failure to: Conduct adequate leak detection. Upgrade pipes and tanks in a timely way to prevent corrosion. Comply with an EPA request for information on the facilities. Document financial resources to clean up petroleum releases and cover potential hazards to third parties, including citizens, in the event of a release.
The Boise-based companies have since closed or sold most of their facilities in Idaho and Oregon, EPA said.
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