News Release 563

Department refers 15 businesses to attorney general for underground storage tank violations

Volume 38-563 (For Immediate Release)
Contact: Larry Archer
573-751-3807 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 27, 2010-- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has referred 15 businesses to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office for failing to meet financial responsibility requirements for underground storage tanks, a violation of Missouri’s Underground Storage Tank Law and Regulations.

Businesses referred to the Attorney General in August were:

• West Clay Mobil in St. Charles, St. Charles County.
• Downtown Corner Mart in Joplin, Jasper County.
• A G Edwards & Sons in St. Louis, St. Louis County.
• Wells Fargo Advisors L.L.C. in St. Charles, St. Charles County.
• Fuel Trip #2 in Kansas City, Jackson County.
• SEMO Gas Incorporated in Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County.
• Bloomsdale Food Mart in Bloomsdale, Ste. Genevieve County.
• Clarksdale General Store in Clarksdale, DeKalb County.
• Hall's Food Mart #8 in Joplin, Jasper County.
• Phillips Quickmart in St. Louis, St. Louis County.
• Quick Stop in House Springs, Jefferson County.
• Royal Liquors Inc. at 801 Southwest Blvd. in Kansas City, Jackson County.
• Royal Liquors Inc. at 1301 W.103rd St. in Kansas City, Jackson County.
• St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Jasper County.
• The Station in Parkville, Platte County.

All of these facilities have been cited for operating petroleum underground storage tanks without a required financial responsibility mechanism. Petroleum underground storage tank owners and operators are required to have funds to pay for cleanup and damages that may occur as the result of a petroleum release from their underground storage tank systems. Ways to meet the requirements of financial responsibility could include:

• Pollution liability insurance (state fund or private insurer).
• Financial test of self insurance.
• Letter of credit.
• Trust fund.
• Surety bond.

Missouri’s Underground Storage Tank Law and Regulations exist to protect human health and the environment and the department is responsible for enforcing the law and regulations.

The department’s enforcement actions help protect human health and the environment by encouraging facilities to maintain compliance. The main goal in any enforcement action is to work with a facility to successfully achieve compliance with the regulatory standards and then ensure it has the tools to remain in compliance. As part of that process, penalties may be assessed to ensure future compliance by removing the economic benefit of continued noncompliance.

The department strives to work with owners and operators to fix problems before an issue is referred. In situations where the responsible party is unwilling or unable to cooperate to bring the facility into compliance and be protective of human health and the environment, the department will refer the case.

For more information on financial responsibility, visit the department’s website at dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/tanks/ustfinresp.htm or contact the Hazardous Waste Program at 573-751-3176 or call toll-free at 800-361-4827.

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