Two 7-Eleven c-stores were cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for alleged violations regarding underground fuel storage containers, JusticeNewsFlash.com reported Wednesday.
The two stores, one in Pittsburg and one in Cranberry Township, Pa., are both operated by Handee Marts Inc., which is working with EPA officials to correct the violations filed by Pennsylvania state regulators.
The two 7-Eleven locations will pay $22,758 in fines to settle the allegations. EPA inspectors claim the two stores failed to detect, prevent, and control fuel leaks from underground storage tanks (UST) located at their establishments.
The Cranberry Township location was cited for not performing annual automatic leak detector tests on the store’s five UST’s from May 2006 to November 2007, and for failing to perform automatic line tightness tests on the underground piping involving five UST’s from August 2007 to November 2007.
Allegedly, the Pittsburg location also did not annually test the automatic leak detector in its five UST’s from December 1, 2003 to August 22, 2007. The automatic line tightness tests were not performed on its UST’s from May 16, 2007 to July 18, 2006. The Pittsburgh retail store also did not test the corrosion protection system every three years as required by state and federal laws.
The 7-Eleven convenience store chain has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged actions, but as part of the settlement, certified its compliance with applicable UST regulations, according to JusticeNewsFlash.com.