Environmental inspectors in New Brunswick discovered that a notable percentage of gas stations were neglecting to conduct daily checks on the fuel levels in their underground tanks. This finding has raised concerns among opposition leaders about the potential for a recurrence of a substantial gasoline spill that occurred in Woodstock last year, releasing 189,000 liters of fuel into the environment.
Green Party Leader David Coon emphasized the importance of these daily checks as the primary defense against leaks that could contaminate groundwater and pose risks to public health. Following the Woodstock spill, Coon obtained data from Environment Minister Gilles LePage regarding inspections carried out post-incident.
In a letter dated November 19, LePage disclosed that nine gas stations were not promptly reconciling their fuel amounts, a process vital for detecting leaks by comparing tank levels with recorded sales. Additionally, inspectors uncovered nine unauthorized “ghost tanks” in seven locations, indicating lapses in regulatory oversight.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Environment Department’s monitoring and enforcement effectiveness, Coon stressed that the current results were subpar. The department had issued 16 tickets with fines totaling $19,272, and directed 32 stations to develop compliance strategies.
Despite these actions, as of October, 19 stations were still finalizing their compliance plans. LePage hinted at the possibility of further fines for non-compliant stations, affirming a commitment to stringent penalties for violations. With 91 gas stations inspected to date, accounting for over one-fifth of all stations in the province, LePage announced plans for a forthcoming round of inspections to ensure ongoing compliance.
Progressive Conservative Opposition Leader Glen Savoie echoed concerns about the potential for similar incidents elsewhere and urged the government to take decisive steps to prevent future environmental hazards.