EPA settles with Maryland company over oil spill prevention plan

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Greenlight WVO LLC, of Beltsville, Maryland, on Wednesday, stemming from citations for insufficient oil spill prevention measures that left Anacostia River tributary Indian Creek vulnerable to damage.

Greenlight, a used cooking oil company, was accused of not establishing or implementing a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan up to the standards of the Clean Water Act, which ensures the safety of waterways near oil companies. Recycled cooking oil presents the same dangers to aquatic ecosystems and area water quality as other types of oil, like petroleum products, if released into these waterways.

Greenlight was storing more than 150,000 gallons of oil at a facility within 1,500 feet of the creek when the EPA carried out its inspection.

According to the settlement, the company has brought its SPCC plan into compliance with federal regulations, ensuring the safety of Indian Creek and that area of the Anacostia River. Greenlight will also pay a civil penalty of $40,000.