DEQ issues $3,845 penalty to Portland gas station owner for violations
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $3,845 civil penalty to K&J Petroleum, LLC for failure to have an air quality permit and for failing to provide monthly records of total monthly gasoline throughput for a gas station located at 4450 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland, OR. K&J Petroleum recently sold the facility, but while still under its ownership, DEQ notified the company numerous times to remedy the violations.
DEQ also cited the company, without penalty, for failing to: install pressure vacuum valves on gasoline storage tank vents; post a “no topping off” sign; replace or repair excessively worn hoses; make available the inspection, operation and maintenance records for the vapor balance system; and maintain spill containment buckets.
DEQ issued the penalty because gasoline stations are required to have an air quality permit and maintain monthly gasoline throughput records. These requirements exist because gasoline vapors contain benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical. Control of gasoline vapors reduces exposure of this chemical near gasoline facilities and contributes to the continuing compliance with federal ozone standards, and protection of public health and the environment. By avoiding the cost of a permit and complying with the law, the company gained an unfair competitive advantage over similar facilities that did comply. The company has appealed the penalty.
View enforcement letter at https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/032417KJ.pdf
Contacts
Daniel DeFehr, Air Quality Inspector, Portland, 503-229-6155, defehr.daniel@deq.state.or.us
Jenny Root, Environmental Law Specialist, Portland, 503-229-5874, root.jenny@deq.state.or.us