Through the Agency's investigation, it was learned that Perry's Oil Service, Inc., in the course of doing business, removed old oil tanks from people's homes. When doing so, they pumped the fuel from the old tanks into the new tanks. Oil that could not be pumped from the old tanks was then drained into drums which were then improperly stored in a field near its Fairground Road facility; 95 drums were observed in the field and some were leaking.

The matter came to light as a result of a citizen complaint that resulted in a hazardous waste compliance inspection by the Waste Management Division. After the investigation was completed, Perry Oil Service, Inc. was notified of the violations and agreed to settle the matter. It also immediately hired a contractor to properly remove the drums and properly dispose of the waste. It also hired a consultant to conduct a site investigation and draft a remediation plan. That plan was approved and Perry's Oil Service, Inc. spent $60,000 to clean up the site.

The settlement was reduced to an Assurance of Discontinuance and was so ordered by the Environmental Court on November 6, 2007. In it, Perry's Oil Service, Inc. agreed to comply with the Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Rules in the conduct of its business. It was also agreed that a civil penalty of $15,000 will be paid to the State of Vermont for the violations and that a $10,000 supplemental environmental project will be funded, however, it has chosen to pay the entire amount as a penalty.

For Further Information please contact:
Attorney Gary Kessler at 802-241-3820 or email to gary.kessler@state.vt.us