EPA Fines Iowa 80 and Joplin 44 Truck Stops

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on EPA Fines Iowa 80 and Joplin 44 Truck Stops

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Two truck stops in Iowa and Missouri – Iowa 80, advertised as “the world’s largest truck stop,” and Joplin 44 – agreed to pay a combined $390,784 to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said today. According to EPA, the truck stops failed to comply with regulations intended to protect water bodies from petroleum discharges.

“This settlement represents the federal government’s commitment to protecting our nation’s waterways and creating a level playing field for businesses who are complying with the law,” said EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director David Cozad.

Facilities that store 1320 gallons or greater of oil products in above ground storage tanks are subject to Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans, required by the Clean Water Act. The plans require, among other things, proper containment to control petroleum releases, inspections of tanks and piping, and integrity testing of petroleum storage equipment.

EPA discovered the alleged violations during inspections of the truck stops in 2023. In response to EPA’s findings, the facilities revised their SPCC plans, conducted internal and external tank inspections, and completed the necessary repairs. The Consent Agreements and Final Orders that will be subject to a 30-day public comment period. The Consent Agreements are available online for public review and comment: Iowa 80 and Joplin 44.

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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