Maine Transportation Firm Assessed $11,500 in Penalties for Delaying Report of Fuel Spill in Charlton

Pottle's Transportation, Inc., a Maine-based transportation company, recently entered into a consent order with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for failing to notify the agency of a release of diesel fuel along Route 20 westbound from Auburn to Charlton.

Pottle's has paid a $2,875 administrative penalty to the Commonwealth as part of the consent order, and must perform a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP).

On September 3, 2006, the Charlton Police Department noted that a Pottle's tractor-trailer was leaking diesel fuel along the westbound side of Route 20. The truck leaked approximately 30 gallons of diesel fuel along several miles of Route 20 before the police stopped the vehicle in Charlton. The next morning, a representative on behalf of Pottle's notified MassDEP of the fuel release, well after the two-hour notification required by state regulations.

In addition to paying the $2,875 penalty, Pottle's agreed to perform a SEP valued at over $8,625. The SEP includes installation of a computer in each of the company's trucks, publication of a news article detailing its noncompliance as an industry learning experience, and distribution of notification stickers and cards to all drivers outlining what to do if another spill occurs. The computer will allow all tractor-trailer drivers to press a button to immediately notify Pottle's notification center through a wireless computer connection on board.

"We are pleased with the project that Pottle's will implement in response to its incident," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "The spill response measures will increase environmental protection and help avoid future noncompliance."

###