Attorney Generals News Release

August 15, 1995

Nixon sues to force cleanup, closure of Webster Oil underground storage tanks

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has asked a Greene County court to order three Springfield companies to clean up several of their underground storage tanks that allegedly are leaking petroleum products into nearby groundwater. The suit also asks that several other underground storage tank sites owned by the companies be properly closed.

Nixon filed the suit Monday against Jack Webster III and three businesses in which Webster serves as a corporate officer: Webster Oil Co., Reliant Industries Inc. and Petrol Properties Inc. All three companies list 2400 E. Bennett as their principal place of business.

The releases allegedly occurred at underground storage tanks located in Springfield at 314 S. Glenstone, 1211 W. Sunshine, 1735 S. Glenstone, and at EJ's Market on Route 5 in Kimberling City. Geologists with the Department of Natural Resources have used a dye trace to link the 1211 W. Sunshine site with contamination of nearby Elfindale Spring.

Nixon also said that four other underground storage tanks registered by the companies and located at 1205 E. Commercial, 3247 W. Chestnut, 4901 W. Chestnut and 3553 Campbell in Springfield had not been properly closed, as required by state law.

“Underground storage tanks can cause serious environmental problems,” Nixon said. “If they are not properly closed, gasoline and oil can seep out into the groundwater and cause contamination.”

The lawsuit seeks an injunction from the court ordering Webster and the companies to perform a complete site assessment at each site to determine the extent of soil and groundwater contamination and then take any corrective action required by the Department of Natural Resources. Nixon also asked the court to require the defendants to pay the state for natural resources damages.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818