Two Baltimore-area gas stations could pay thousands of dollars in federal fines after years of not protecting their underground fuel tanks from leaking.
The gas stations in Baltimore City and Pasadena are two of 23 in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., owned by Euclid of Virginia Inc., which is facing a $3.16 million fine from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for similar failures at its gas stations.
“Though there was no pollution, they were taking a risk of those tanks rupturing,” said Donna Heron, an EPA spokeswoman.
The EPA levied its highest fine from an administrative judge against Euclid because it never complied with inspectors? orders since 1997, officials said.
The Maryland Department of the Environment brought the issue to the EPA?s attention.
The Baltimore gas station ? Irvington Gas & Go, 3900 Frederick Ave. ? had tanks containing 32,000 gallons of petroleum-based products without a leak detector or liquid-tight basins to catch excess fuel.
Inspectors said three private wells were within a quarter-mile of the tanks, according to court documents.
“If something were to happen to those tanks, it could have caused serious problems,” Heron said.
In all, the EPA fined Gas & Go $367,000.
In Pasadena, the Lowest Price station, 8249 Ritchie Highway, had similar issues of faulty leak protection, though the extent of the violation was not as severe. Still, improper monitoring led to a $27,000 fine.
MDE called other jurisdictions where Euclid owned gas stations and discovered similar incidents.
“They were a difficult company to deal with, which is why we referred to the EPA for enforcement,” said Horacio Tablada, waste management director for MDE.
Attempts to reach Euclid officials at the company?s Virginia and D.C. offices were unsuccessful.
Thomas DeCaro Jr., an Upper Marlboro lawyer representing Euclid, said, “We feel we are being singled out. Many other gas stations during that time period were not in compliance.”
Euclid appealed the $3.16 million fine to an EPA administrative judge, who upheld the decision. Another appeal to the EPA?s appeal board also went in favor the EPA?s ruling, but the fine was raised by nearly $80,000.
Euclid still can appeal the case to federal court.
The other gas stations in Maryland were primarily in Prince George?s, as well as Frederick and Montgomery counties.
