State penalizes four organizations over $19,000 for fuel tank back fees at King County International Airport

After failing to pay a decade's worth of back fees related to their underground storage tanks supplying King County International Airport - Boeing Field, Signature Aviation, Shultz, Inc., Sky Services, and King County have been penalized $19,681 by the Washington Department of Ecology.

The three private businesses and King County collectively own and operate 11 underground storage tanks at 1495 S. Hardy St., Seattle, adjacent to the airport. Each tank holds about 20,000 gallons of aviation fuel.

Owners and operators of underground storage tanks are required to pay annual fees for a special business license endorsement, which includes proof of their financial ability to pay for any cleanup costs from tank leaks.

The four organizations did not renew their endorsement for 10 years. Ecology attempted to resolve the situation for nearly a decade but the facility has had several different owners and operators, and it was unclear who had the responsibility and authority for renewing the endorsement. The end result was that no party stepped up to voluntarily bring the facility back into compliance.

The penalty is issued to all four parties, who are expected to resolve the responsibility for paying the penalty among themselves.

Signature Aviation, Shultz, Inc., Sky Services, and King County have 30 days to pay the penalty or appeal it to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.

Each year, 3 billion gallons of fuel pass through underground storage tanks in Washington. Inspections and oversight of these tanks to ensure they are operating safely and haven't been affected by corrosion or other issues is one of Ecology's most important pollution prevention programs.

"In general, ensuring that tank owners are properly installing, maintaining, and monitoring the integrity of their tanks is essential to preventing leaks and costly cleanups," said Kim Wooten, Toxics Cleanup Program section manager for Ecology's Northwest Region.