State Crime Reports

Vermilion County Court Imposes Penalty On Petroleum Company


SPRINGFIELD –-(ENEWSPF)–June 23, 2015.  The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today that on June 18, 2015, a Vermilion County Circuit Court issued a Default Judgment Order against Excellent Petroleum, Inc. for $365,000. The order came in response to the company abandoning a truck stop and leaving ten underground petroleum storage tanks unsecure, clearly in violation of the Gasoline Storage Act.

“Gasoline tanks left unattended pose a serious threat to public safety,” said State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “This judgment serves as a reminder of the consequences that result from not following state regulations and putting the public at risk.”

Excellent Petroleum, Inc., located at the Oakwood exit of I-74, last operated the ten underground storage tanks in 2006. The unsecured fuel tanks had the potential to cause soil and water contamination, therefore posing a threat to human health and the environment. The Village of Oakwood took over the title of the facility on November 3, 2014, after Excellent Petroleum, Inc. failed to respond to multiple OSFM enforcement notices directing the company to maintain and secure the facility.

The OSFM requested that the Office of the Attorney General file a civil lawsuit against Excellent Petroleum, Inc. in August 2011. Litigation followed resulting in a Default Judgment Order imposing $365,000 in penalties and fines against the company for its ongoing violations of OFSM rules concerning technical and safety requirements for the operation and proper temporary closure of underground storage tanks.

A copy of the Default Judgment Order is available upon request.

Source: illinois.gov

 


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