Investigation Finds Fuel Tank Violation at Rochester Gas Station

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has announced a fine and multi-million dollar settlement against two major gas station chains for violations of fuel storage regulations.

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A news release issued Tuesday says the fine and settlement is the result of an investigation involving five gas stations in Minnesota. One of the stores is in downtown Rochester.

The state agency is fining Bloomington-based Holiday Station Stores and Charlotte, NC-based Circle-K $200,000 after an investigation found violations at stores in Rochester, Northfield, Owatonna, Walker and Pine City. An agency spokesman says the Holiday store at 400 4th St. Southeast in Rochester was among the stores where investigators found a fuel storage tank in violation of state regulations.

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The investigation accuses Holiday and Circle K of failing to “properly test, report, and fix or replace corrosion protection equipment between 2019 and 2022.” The state agency says each location had between one and six failed tests that were not reported to state regulators.

The companies are also accused of not repairing the equipment, which is known as cathodic protection. The protection mechanism is designed to prevent corrosion from older underground tank systems.

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Officials say corrosion can increase the chances of leaks and petroleum releases into soils and groundwater sources that surround the gas station. On average the underground tank at each location is 40 years old.

State regulations require the gas station companies to test corrosion protection equipment at once per year and report failed tests to the MPCA within 30 days. Companies are also required to fix or replace equipment within 60 days of a test failure.

The MPCA says Holiday and Circle-K have since completed the mandated repairs at the five stores that violated state regulations.

Along with the fine, the companies must also spend at least $3.25 million to replace underground tank systems by the end of next year at five other locations that were selected based on the age of their tanks and the store’s proximity to bodies of water. The stores are in Beaver Bay, Crosby, Duluth, Forest Lake, and Ortonville.

Holiday and Circle-K have also agreed to “properly report and respond to any future failed tests” as part of the settlement, the news release says.

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Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli