Tanknology, the largest UST testing company in the Unites States, pled guilty on Aug. 29 to 10 felony counts of presenting false claims and making false statements to federal agencies. Tanknology, headquartered in Austin, admitted in its plea and at sentencing that from January 1997 until December 1999, company employees had performed false tests at federal installations across the country, including U.S. postal facilities, military bases and a NASA facility.
"The United States will not hesitate to prosecute those who falsify reports that can result in injury to the environment and to the health of our citizens," said Tom Sansonetti, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
Underground storage tanks contain petroleum products, including gasoline, and all UST owners and operators are required by law to have their tanks tested to ensure that their systems are not leaking any petroleum into the soil or groundwater. Leaking USTs can present other health and environmental risks, including the potential for fire and explosion.
"Accurate information is central to ensuring compliance with the underground storage tank requirements," said John Peter Suarez, EPA's assistant administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Falsifying reports can undermine the very purpose of these important regulations to protect public health and the environment. This prosecution demonstrates what a strong federal-state relationship can accomplish."
As part of the investigation, federal agents observed Tanknology testers at government facilities across the country. The false tests ranged from failing to follow required test protocols to "drive-by" tests, where a Tanknology tester was videotaped driving up to a federal facility, driving away after a few minutes and then submitting false data.
In addition to paying the criminal fine and restitution, Tanknology will serve a term of probation for five years. Under the plea agreement, Tanknology also will implement a quality management system to ensure that false and improper testing practices do not occur again.
EPA has extensive information on underground storage tanks and federal requirements at www.epa.gov/swerust1/overview.htm.
