On 10/23/2009 a gasoline tank was overfilled and gasoline vapors reached an ignition source and exploded. The force of the explosion damaged and ignited numerous nearby storage tanks filled with petroleum products such as Diesel fuel, and gasoline. Millions of gallons of product were ignited and an unknown quantity of product was released overland and into an adjacent wetlands.
That same day EPA Region II mobilized OSCs and contractor personnel to the scene to assist in the remediation effort. An Oil Pollution Act 1990 (OPA '90) Spill fund account was established by the US Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center, and EPA has had contractors on-Site since then to provide oversight, to assist the facility in remediating the releases, and to eliminate the threat of additional releases to navigable waterways of the US.
During the course of working on the Site EPA discovered the presence of approx. 100 small, deteriorated unmarked, compressed gas cylinders lying on the ground behind an out building at a remote location on the Site, and an accumulation of 500-lb compressed gas cylinders close by. The larger cylinders were deteriorated and some were labeled as "poison".
Elsewhere on the Site a chemical odor was detected from a building where dozens of drums were stored. Upon closer examination it was observed that the drums appeared to contain virgin chemicals but they looked to be many years old. It was also observed that at least one drum had turned over and was lying on the ground; the bung was open and a puddle of liquid was on the ground around the drum.
Consequently, a CERCLA FEN was issued to the RP to address this situation. Facility management responded positively to the FEN and arrangements are underway to have Clean Harbors Inc. mobilize a crew to the Site to begin removal activities. This activity is being done under CERCLA authorities and in accordance with the Chemical Release regulations under the NCP.
On May 11, 2011 EPA finalized an administrative Order On Concent with Puma Energy Caribe. Since that time Puma has taken over the Site and EPA has been providing oversight under the terms of the order.
