DEQ fines Alpha Environmental Services, Inc. and City of Portland for underground storage tank violation in North Portland
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Alpha Environmental Services, Inc. $3,600 and the City of Portland $2,200 for failing to timely report a petroleum release from an underground storage tank at 1900 N. Interstate Ave. in Portland.
In June 2015, Alpha Environmental Services found out that gasoline and diesel had leaked from the tank, but the company did not report this to DEQ until October when it submitted a report summarizing the cleanup associated with that release. The City of Portland hired Alpha Environmental Services to service the tank on this city-owned property.
DEQ issued this penalty because DEQ and property owners that hire Alpha Environmental Services as a licensed service provider rely on the company to know the rules relating to reporting of confirmed releases. Immediate reporting of confirmed releases to DEQ ensures that contaminated sites are dealt with in a timely manner.
Alpha Environmental Services appealed its penalty. The City of Portland did not appeal its penalty.
View the enforcement letters:
Alpha Environmental: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/040416alphaE.pdf
Taryn C. Meyer: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/040416meyerE.pdf
Contact:
Susan Elworth, Environmental Law Specialist, Portland, 503-229-5152, elworth.susan@deq.state.or.us
Jeff Schatz, Tanks Program, Portland, 503-229-5024, Schatz.jeff@deq.state.or.us