Pipeline Operator Fined, Must Cleanup in EPA Deal Over California Gas Spill

A pipeline operator is settling with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over a massive gasoline spill in in Walnut Creek, California.

Under an agreement, SFPP L.P. will pay a penalty of $213,560 to resolve claims of Clean Water Act violations after the company’s pipeline discharged more 40,000 gallons of gas into the environment.

EPA says that SFPP discharged gasoline in high enough quantities to be harmful. Under federal law, petroleum transporters must operate and maintain pipelines to ensure spills do not happen. If they do occur, spills must be immediately contained and do not pose a threat to the environment.

SFPP is conducting ongoing cleanup work in coordination with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to address environmental impacts from the spill.