By the OGJ Online Staff
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 1 -- The US Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency Friday said Williams Gas Pipeline Corp.'s Transco unit agreed to pay a $1.4 million civil fine to resolve claims it violated environmental rules protecting soil and water quality.
Transco agreed to test for and clean up soil and groundwater contamination related to waste disposal at numerous compressor stations along its natural gas pipeline, which crosses 12 states from Texas to New York.
Also, the company will clean polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination, complete a storm water monitoring program, and conduct storm water sampling at several compressor stations.
As part of its investigation of Transco, EPA determined that the company already had performed some cleanup at many sites, while in other locations additional work remained to be completed. Under the settlement, Transco will complete remaining cleanup work related to hazardous wastes released at 26 of its compressor stations and PCB cleanup at one station.
The settlement does not require additional cleanup at metering stations because Transco has completed cleanups at those sites, except stations in New York, New Jersey, and Louisiana that are being cleaned under state environmental agency supervision.
The settlement will be filed in Houston US District Court and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.
