The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) board of directors on Wednesday in Austin approved an agreed order that provided for a three-year payment plan of the fine and spelled out terms for the store's gas station operations to come into compliance, said the report.[image-nocss]
According to state documents cited by the newspaper, inspectors found that the gas station operator had no system of detecting leaks from its underground storage tanks, did not provide for corrosion protection or vapor recovery in its storage system, and failed to provide state-required information, training and paperwork during a routine visit in August 2007.
The operator appealed to the agency's litigation division before a settlement was reached in July, according to the state documents.
State officials fined the convenience store $8,030 for its poor compliance history, in addition to the base fine of $19,000 for failing to meet state requirements designed to protect the soil and groundwater, the report said.
In addition, the operator was not eligible for any fine deferment because the operator, while taking six corrective measures, is not yet in compliance. To come into full compliance, the operator must immediately undertake two technical steps to prevent and monitor for leaks. The operator has 30 days to install release detection, vapor recovery and corrosion prevention measures. Finally, the operator has 45 days to submit the paperwork showing full compliance.
The agreed order was one of 11 approved for petroleum storage tanks statewide Wednesday. In all, TCEQ directors approved penalties totaling $688,451 against 74 regulated entities for violations of state environmental regulations, the report added.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.