Genesis Petroleum, Environmental Violations, New York 2019

Genesis Petroleum, Inc. and 20 associated companies have agreed to settle a civil lawsuit over environmental violations at 13 gas stations in New York and New Jersey. The lawsuit alleged that the company repeatedly violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) between 2012 and 2016.

The consent judgment, which is subject to public comment and approval by the district court, requires the defendants to adequately detect leaks of petroleum product from underground storage tanks, and to implement other safety measures, across their facilities in New York and New Jersey.

The settlement also requires the defendants to pay a civil penalty of $250,000. This is a significant step towards ensuring that gas stations in New York and New Jersey operate in compliance with environmental regulations.

Genesis Petroleum flagrantly disregarded measures required by law that are designed to protect the health and safety of the communities in which they operate their gas stations. Leaks from underground storage tanks can contaminate drinking water supplies, pollute surrounding soil and surface waters as well as groundwater, and impact indoor airspaces.

The United States has entered into a Consent Judgment settling a civil lawsuit against Genesis Petroleum, Inc. and 20 associated companies, for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in connection with their ownership or operation of underground storage tanks at 13 gas stations in New York and New Jersey.

The 13 gas stations are located in low-income areas and communities of color that are exposed to disproportionate environmental burdens. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants failed to perform required actions including failure to install and use spill prevention equipment, failure to use overfill prevention equipment, and failure to report suspected releases.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Lisa Garcia, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2, announced the settlement. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding public health, preserving the environment, and promoting environmental justice in partnership with the EPA.

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