Twelve of the gas stations included in the consent judgment are located in environmental justice areas. These areas are home to low-income communities or communities of color who are disproportionately affected by environmental burdens.
Jeanmarie Evelly
More than a dozen New York City gas stations were accused of failing to follow leak-prevention legislation from underground containers. The stations have reached a settlement with the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of New York.
The civil lawsuit against Genesis Petroleum, Inc. was filed in 2019. According to a source familiar, the investigation was initiated by an Environmental Protection Agency inspector who noted that one location had been subjected to earlier enforcement by New York State Department of Conservation.
In 2021, the case was taken over by the office’s Newly formed Environmental Justice Team.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which governs hazardous waste disposal, was found to be in violation by the companies that operated the gas stations.
United States Attorney Breon peace stated that Genesis Petroleum flagrantly ignored the law-required measures to ensure the safety and health of communities in which it operates its stations.
Twelve of the gas stations included in the consent judgment are located in environmental justice areas. These areas are home to low-income communities or communities of color who are disproportionately affected by environmental burdens.
According to the consent judgment, the companies failed to use spill prevention equipment and report suspected leaks, keep records of monitoring, and respond to EPA requests. There are multiple brands that the stations are under, including Sunoco and BP, Shell and Mobile in New Jersey and Westchester County, as well as Mobile on Long Island.
According to Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator, groundwater can be contaminated by the leakage of underground storage containers. It can also cause vapors, fires, or explosions that can be toxic.
Underground storage tanks are an important business infrastructure that are vital for fueling vehicles. However, if these tanks are not properly maintained and repaired, communities and the environment could be at risk of hazardous substances leaking from them, he stated in a Thursday press release.
The agreement states that the companies will not be held responsible for any injuries or property damage caused by accidental releases. However, they must install equipment to prevent leakages, overfills, and cooperate with the EPA. The civil penalty will be $250,000. For each gas station that is linked to the consent judgment, the company will be fined $250,000.
City Limits tried to reach the owners of the companies and his attorney for a request for comment. We will update this article until we receive a response. The public has 30 days to comment on the consent agreement to the Department of Justice before the court approves it. The judgment is then lodged with the District Court.