Rollette Oil Company Will Pay $36,000 For Failure To Investigate And Remediate Hazardous Substance Spill

MADISON - Rollette Oil Company has agreed to pay penalties and costs totaling $36,000 for its violations of state hazardous substance spill remediation laws at the site of a former gasoline filling station the company owns in Janesville. The settlement ends an action filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the company in Rock County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, filed at the request of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Rollette Oil Co. failed to properly investigate and remediate soil and groundwater contamination discovered after underground fuel storage tanks were removed at the site in 1992. This failure is a violation of the Wisconsin law that addresses notification and remediation requirements regarding the discharge of hazardous substances.

"The law requires hazardous substances in underground fuel tanks be properly investigated and discharged," Van Hollen said. "DNR and DOJ will work together to enforce this law designed to protect public health and the environment."

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Rollette will pay the financial penalty and implement a DNR-approved remediation plan to recover and remove petroleum contaminants from the subsurface at the site.

The settlement was approved by Rock County Circuit Judge Daniel T. Dillon.

Assistant Attorney General Shari Eggleson represented the state.