WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Capps today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use all of the regulatory power at its disposal to hold Greka Oil and Gas, Inc. fully accountable for its disastrous oil spills and to take whatever steps necessary to prevent future spills from occurring. 

“I am appalled by Greka’s failure to properly maintain its facilities located in our county,” said Capps.  “Time after time, spill after spill, we have seen a consistent pattern of neglect and an unwillingness by Greka to take responsibility for its actions.  This is unacceptable!  These spills are a serious threat to the health and safety of the public as well as the environment.   I look forward to continuing working with EPA, as well as state and local officials, to ensure that the current spills are cleaned up as soon as possible and future spills are prevented.”

A copy of Congresswoman Capps’ letter to the EPA follows:

February 1, 2008

Mr. Wayne Nastri
Regional Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, California 94105

Dear Mr. Nastri:

Thank you for providing me with updates on the recent oil and hazardous substance spills at Greka Oil and Gas, Inc. facilities located in Santa Barbara County.  Like you, my immediate concern is for the health and safety of the public as well as the water quality and wildlife in the area.  Given the apparent haphazard manner in which the Greka sites are managed and the devastating effects this mismanagement is having on the local environment, it is crucial that EPA continue working with appropriate federal, state, and local agencies to put an end to this intolerable situation.  

I am deeply concerned that EPA’s on-scene investigators continue to discover spills during its routine inspections at Greka facilities.  On January 24th, EPA discovered additional hazardous releases at the Ucal and Bell leases, and a re-release at the Davis lease.  This week, at the Bradley 3 Island facility, EPA discovered Greka discharging oil contaminated water from a facility drainage basin into an unnamed creek, which is habitat for the endangered tiger salamander.

This situation is simply unacceptable.  I am pleased that you have issued an order to Greka to immediately comply with the Clean Water Act, or face fines of up to $32,500 per day, for each violation.  Given Greka’s longstanding problems, swift action must be taken to hold this company accountable for its irresponsible actions.

Again, thank you providing me with updates on your investigation, including the status of the spills, their current and projected impacts, and the enforcement actions you are taking against Greka.  I expect EPA to use the full reach of its regulatory power and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent spills in the future.

Sincerely,

LOIS CAPPS
Member of Congress

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.