The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) assessed a $19,975 penalty to commercial real estate firm Grubb & Ellis Management Services Inc. for failing to notify MassDEP of a sudden release of 2,000 gallons of fuel oil at a site in Acton.
On Sept. 15, 2007, a release of fuel oil occurred at 100 Nagog Park in Acton when a generator day-tank’s switch failed, causing a spill onto the generator room floor, and out the front door onto pavement and soil.
A representative on behalf of Grub & Ellis notified MassDEP of the release on Sept/ 17, 2007, well beyond the two-hour period required under Massachusetts environmental regulations.
"Notification to MassDEP of sudden releases of oil and hazardous material is critical to ensure that prompt action is taken and impacts to the environment are minimized," said Mary Gardner, deputy director of DEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester.
Grubb & Ellis, a California-based property corporation with offices in Boston, has agreed to pay $16,600 of the assessed penalty to the commonwealth, with the remaining $3,975 suspended provided that there are no further violations at the site.
Grubb & Ellis must also review its current spill management plan and revise the plan in order to avoid, in the future, any other instances when a spill is not reported to MassDEP as required.
