Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley on Monday announced a settlement in an environmental protection action against the corporate entities and individuals who own and operate several gas stations branded as Fast and Easy.
The Yolo County Superior Court entered a judgment ordering defendants Aasim Corp., Aasim Enterprises Inc., Ashraf Ali, Yasmin Ali, Samir Ali, Shafique Bhimani and Mohammed Bilal to pay $1.1 million in civil penalties and investigative costs.
This judgment settles allegations that the defendants failed to follow state laws governing the operation of retail gas stations at locations in Napa, Alameda, Lake, San Joaquin and Yolo counties.
Owners and operators of underground storage tanks, or USTs, at retail gas stations in California are subject to fair, yet stringent environmental rules and requirements designed to prevent underground petroleum releases to surface and ground waters, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office reported.
Prosecutors alleged that the Fast and Easy defendants failed to adequately install, monitor, operate and calibrate important equipment on-site designed to detect leaks at the earliest possible opportunity, and failed to comply with laws regulating hazardous wastes and hazardous materials at the gas stations.
As part of the judgment, the defendants are required to pay $900,000 in civil penalties and $200,000 in investigative and enforcement costs.
The settlement also includes a permanent statewide injunction, prohibiting the defendants from violating UST and hazardous waste laws, and further requires them to retain an experienced, independent environmental consultant to assist with future compliance at all stations.
“Underground fuel leaks pose a significant threat to Napa County’s groundwater supply and to the environment,” said Haley. “This case illustrates the importance of keeping our water supply safe from pollution by holding companies that fail to monitor and maintain their underground storage tanks accountable.”
The Napa County District Attorney’s Office thanked everyone within the Napa County Environmental Health Division, city of San Leandro Environmental Services, Hayward Fire Department, Lake County Division of Environmental Health, San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department and the Yolo County Environmental Health Division for their investigative efforts and assistance with this case.
Environmental protection lawsuit against Fast and Easy gas stations settled
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