Monday, March 23, 2015

REED OIL COMPANY IS CHARGED WITH TWO CRIMINAL COUNTS OF VIOLATING THE PENNSYLVANIA STORAGE TANK AND SPILL PREVENTION ACT BY HIRING UNQUALIFIED WELDERS AND FAILURE TO INSPECT TANKS WITH DEADLY RESULTS





MARCH 23, 2015

MERCER, PENNSYLVANIA

Arraignment is scheduled May 5 in Mercer County Common Pleas Court for a New Castle energy company that is already facing fines for a deadly explosion in Pymatuning Township.

The Reed Oil Company is charged with two criminal counts of violating the Pennsylvania Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act.  A district magistrate found enough evidence to hold the case for the higher court.

A criminal complaint originally filed in Greenville alleges that Reed Oil violated the law by hiring Brian Krauss to perform welding work on a storage tank, which exploded on August 19, 2013 at Reed Oil's off-road facility in Pymatuning Township.

Investigators say that Krauss, who died in the blast, was not certified to perform the welding work.

The complaint also alleges that Reed Oil had not had the Department of Environmental Protection inspect the tanks in ten years.

The charges are misdemeanors of the third degree. A conviction could bring a maximum fine of $2,500 and not more than one year in jail.

The DEP has already fined Reed Oil $62,470 for 21 violations of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act.

The explosion caused a spill which contaminated nearby soil. 

Reed Oil and its affiliated companies have received other violations and fines from DEP over the past several years, all for violations of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act.

The $62,470 penalty will be paid to the Storage Tank Fund, which funds the administration of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act.

Reed Oil Company has the right to appeal the fine to the Environmental Quality Board.