US EPA takes enforcement action to address biodiesel spill that reached Maine waterways

The U.S. EPA announced May 9 a settlement with P.S. Marston Associates LLC that resolves a February 2024 incident where the company spilled approximately 1,680 gallons of biodiesel into a storm drain from a fuel truck on the Bates College campus in Lewiston, Maine.

The biodiesel reached Jepson Creek through the storm drains, and an oil sheen was observed in the Androscoggin River in alleged violation of the federal Clean Water Act.

P.S. Marston will pay a $49,528 civil penalty to resolve this case.

“This settlement holds accountable a company that polluted Maine waterways and was not able to contain all of the spilled biodiesel before it reached Jepson Creek and the Androscoggin River,” said Mark Sanborn, EPA’s regional administrator for New England.

“This case exemplifies EPA’s core mission to protect human health and the environment and ensure clean air, land and water for every American,” Sanborn said.

The spill occurred while a truck driver with the fuel-delivery company was conducting a transfer of biodiesel to Bates College.

The driver did not follow the company’s standard operating plan and walked away from the transfer.

Immediately following this, the truck and the transfer hose disconnected from one another and released an estimated 1,680 gallons of product.

The biodiesel flooded a parking lot, flowed into storm drains and eventually reached nearby waterways.

Following the spill, Bates College called the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and reported the spill to the federal National Response Center.

P.S. Marston reported that some, though not all, of the spilled oil was recovered.

Recovery of the oil in the Androscoggin River was not possible due to high levels of water and ice, and Maine DEP placed booms in the affected storm drains and in accessible areas of Jepson Brook.

Following the spill, P.S. Marston reported to EPA that the spill did not impact any fish, waterfowl, animals, vegetation or soils in Jepson Brook or the Androscoggin River.

P.S. Marston Associates, doing business as Abenaqui Carriers, is a subsidiary of Brown Bear Transportation NH Inc., and is located in North Hampton, New Hampshire.