Release date: Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Support New York State’s efforts to reduce harmful petroleum vapors and spills. Environmental justice communities, in particular, are being disproportionately burdened by pollution.
Anthony Ruisi, District 4 Director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), announced today that details of six weeks of gas station enforcement in the metropolitan area and surrounding counties have been completed. Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) from DEC’s Law Enforcement Division, in conjunction with staff from DEC’s Environmental Remediation and Air Resources Division, inspect gas stations in disadvantaged communities disproportionately burdened by pollution. We have implemented details to protect public health and the environment. As well as other places in the area.
“Enforcement details are an important tool for protecting populations and natural resources from pollution and holding those responsible to account.” Regional Director Luigi said: “This latest gas station detail provided us with an opportunity to take a closer look at our specific industry, work with violating facilities to identify corrective actions, and meet compliance requirements that protect public health and the environment.”
The initiative is primarily focused on compliance at petrol station locations in designated environmental justice areas (communities facing a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution), including Albany, Schenectady and West Hills of Troy. , Mount Hope, Delaware Area, Bellevue, Mount Pleasant, Lansingburg, and Hill Districts. Other community locations across his nine counties in the region (Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Ossego, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Shawharie) also require compliance with the state’s stringent oil bulk storage and air regulations. inspected to ensure
During unannounced inspections, DEC identified non-compliant gas stations and observed a total of 276 violations. DEC worked with gas station representatives to identify corrective actions to reduce harmful vapors leaking from oil storage tanks, address oil spills from leaking tanks, and correct administrative violations.
Hazardous vapors leaking from defective oil storage tanks can affect the quality of life in local communities and cause health problems for certain people. Leaky oil tanks pollute large amounts of soil and water. It can reach streams, rivers, lakes and other drinking water sources and contaminate the water used by people and wildlife. Or it could be more.
Each facility with a violation was given an appropriate time frame to remedy the violation. If violations are not remedied within the prescribed time period, the facility may be subject to formal administrative sanctions and fines. DEC conducts follow-up inspections at all facilities to ensure compliance.
An ECO inspecting a 10-day inventory adjustment sheet for a gas station. It compares the amount of fuel received with the amount measured in the tank.
ECO violates and inspects gas tank sump because it is filled with water.
