MARTINEZ, Calif. -- Golden Gate Petroleum Co. has agreed to a $6 million settlement after the state found that it violated environmental rules at gas stations in 17 Northern California counties.
Golden Gate improperly stored fuel in underground tanks at about 30 of its gas stations, according to the California Water Resources Control Board, reported the Associated Press.
Among the violations was the failure to install and maintain leak detection equipment designed to prevent petroleum releases into the environment.
The settlement was announced Monday by the water board, state attorney general and district attorneys from the 17 counties.
Under the agreement, the Martinez, Calif.-based company will pay $3 million in cash over five years to the counties. The remaining $3 million will be suspended on the condition that it comply with storage requirements. The company will also have to hire an environmental coordinator to oversee compliance with state environmental regulations in the future.
The counties that were parties to the lawsuit include Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Glenn, Humboldt, Kings, Lake, Mendocino, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter and Yuba.
Click here to see the complete court agreement.
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