BP ordered to pay civil penalty and upgrade facility following oil spill in Iowa
BP North America Products has been told by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it must pay a penalty of $71,400 (€64,690) and upgrade secondary containment in order to settle Clean Water Act violations that occurred at its Peosta facility in Iowa, US.
“Working together with the Department of Transportation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA is taking steps to ensure this facility meets requirements under the Clean Water Act to ensure potential spills are fully contained on site,” said EPA Region 7 administrator Jim Gulliford. “Upgrading secondary containment at the facility will prevent future contamination of nearby waterways and protect both human health and wildlife.”
In August 2018, a 2.5 million gallon storage tank discharged diesel fuel oil into a tributary of the South Fork of Catfish Creek, violating the Clean Water Act. The facility was inspected by the EPA immediately following the discharge, and it was noted that a defective secondary containment caused the release.
The US Department of Transportation also investigated the cause of the spill, finding it to be a defective repair in the storage tank.
In addition to the civil penalty, BP North America Products has agreed to investigate and upgrade the secondary containment system at the facility in Iowa. These systems are used to capture potential spills prior to release.
According to the EPA, the facility upgrades should be complete within six months, depending on the results of the company’s own investigation.
“Working together with the Department of Transportation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA is taking steps to ensure this facility meets requirements under the Clean Water Act to ensure potential spills are fully contained on site,” said EPA Region 7 administrator Jim Gulliford. “Upgrading secondary containment at the facility will prevent future contamination of nearby waterways and protect both human health and wildlife.”
In August 2018, a 2.5 million gallon storage tank discharged diesel fuel oil into a tributary of the South Fork of Catfish Creek, violating the Clean Water Act. The facility was inspected by the EPA immediately following the discharge, and it was noted that a defective secondary containment caused the release.
The US Department of Transportation also investigated the cause of the spill, finding it to be a defective repair in the storage tank.
In addition to the civil penalty, BP North America Products has agreed to investigate and upgrade the secondary containment system at the facility in Iowa. These systems are used to capture potential spills prior to release.
According to the EPA, the facility upgrades should be complete within six months, depending on the results of the company’s own investigation.
