Two NE gas stations pay penalties
for clean-air infractions

Two Northeast Philadelphia gas stations are among 13 throughout the Delaware Valley that have agreed to pay civil penalties after being cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
The Northeast Philadelphia stations cited were Lukoil, at 9100 Frankford Ave., and Cottman Tiger Exxon, at 2250 Cottman Ave.
The EPA cited the stations for a variety of alleged violations that could release harmful volatile organic compounds, which lead to formation of ground-level ozone pollutants, into the air as customers fill up their gas tanks and when gasoline is delivered to the stations.
The alleged violations included:
• Failure to use federally approved pump nozzles that recover gasoline vapors.
• Failure to repair damaged or defective pump nozzles.
• Failure to remove the overflow of gasoline spilled while delivering it to storage tanks.
• Failure to repair damaged storage system caps and piping.
• Failure to provide adequate training and instructions to the operators of gasoline dispensing facilities;
• Failure to maintain records of system operation.
• Failure to have signs posted on how to use the systems, with a telephone number to call in case of problems.
"Since high levels of ozone smog can cause serious breathing problems, especially for people with asthma, controlling these pollutants is important to protecting public health," said Donald S. Welsh, EPA regional administrator.
"Making sure gas stations are installing and maintaining vapor recovery equipment is one effective way we can improve air quality."
These alleged violations were found during EPA inspections from Nov. 13 to Nov. 27, 2006. The penalties range from $1,250 to $250 per station. ••