Safeway to Pay $8 Million for Environmental Violations • Model United Nations Training Conference

COMMUNITY NEWS

Safeway to Pay $8 Million for Environmental Violations

Safeway’s 71 gas stations in California are lacking protection against potentially disastrous underground fuel leaks, and the retailer will pay $8 million in a settlement with state and county governments, according to Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The company, which sells gasoline from stations at Safeway and Vons supermarkets and has locations in Aptos and Soquel, agreed to install equipment to detect, prevent and contain leaks as the state requires, Bonta said at a Sept. 16 news conference.

He said the stations’ underground systems have been out of compliance since March 2015 but no spills or leaks have been reported.

“The reality is: Accidents happen,” Bonta said. “Without proper safety measures in place, an avoidable crisis can become an environmental catastrophe.”

Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Placer and Solano counties took part in the suit.

Safeway’s corporate office did not respond to the San Francisco Chronicle’s request for comment.

Safeway is a subsidiary of Albertsons since being acquired by private equity investors led by Cerberus Capital Management in January 2015.

Underground storage tank systems are subject to strict regulations in California because of the potential for even a small tank leak, if undetected, to cause substantial contamination to soil and groundwater.

California requires all underground storage tank systems be designed and constructed with primary and secondary levels of containment, continuous monitoring systems, constant vacuum pressure, equipment to prevent spills and leaks, and automatic leak detectors.

Beginning in 2015, Safeway is alleged to have violated state laws regulating the operation of underground storage tanks and the handling of hazardous waste. Specifically, the Attorney General and district attorneys found evidence of recurring violations at Safeway gas stations, including failure to: • Install and/or maintain automatic line leak detectors; • Construct, operate, and maintain secondary containment systems; • Maintain a monitoring system capable of detecting a leak at the earliest possible opportunity; • Continuously monitor and conduct required testing of underground storage tank systems; and • Properly notify local agencies of the release of a hazardous substance.

The settlement resolves these allegations.

As part of the settlement, Safeway will pay $7.5 million in civil penalties, including $600,000 to fund several environmental projects, and another $500,000 for investigative costs.

Safeway will also be required to take immediate steps to improve spill and alarm monitoring, employee training, hazardous waste management and emergency response at its gasoline stations. For example, Safeway will employ an environmental compliance manager to monitor compliance and submit annual reports to the California Department of Justice.

“The protection of our environment is of paramount importance,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. “That’s why my office is committed to the prevention of environmental hazards like fuel spills and holding companies accountable to laws regulating such things as underground storage tanks. The collaborative effort between the AG’s office and my fellow District Attorneys — along with Safeway’s cooperation — resulted in this comprehensive environmental compliance settlement.”

San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar thanked staff in the Quality of Life Division and the San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department for their investigative work.

“Placer County is a beautiful place to live, do business, raise a family, and recreate — and we want to keep it that way,” said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. “Our county is rich with agricultural and natural resources that rely on sustainable and clean groundwater systems. We appreciate Safeway’s ability to come to the table and arrive at a resolution that continues their quality of service for their customers, while maintaining the integrity of Placer County’s natural ecosystems.”

Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, said, “This settlement should serve as a strong message to all businesses that the laws and regulations enacted to protect our citizens and environment should not be ignored.” n •••

A copy of the settlement agreement is at https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/ attachments/press-docs/%5BSafeway%20Dec_ Stip%20and_CJ%20%281%29.pdf

Model United Nations Training Conference

Mount Madonna School will host a one-day Model United Nations Training Conference on Oct. 8, with the goal to introduce Model UN to students, and encourage more schools to adopt this exceptional program.

In Model United Nations, students assume the role of a diplomat of a foreign country and look at an issue through the lens of their “adopted” country. Students then work together to forge consensus on a resolution that addresses the issue. It is a popular way to learn about complex global issues.

This training conference is open to students in grades 6-12, including homeschoolers, and aims to help them learn the academic and debate skills needed to participate successfully. Organizers will provide workshops on research techniques, speech writing and public speaking, culminating in a mock debate. An expert on sustainable agricultural practices will explain how this issue is global and local.

Mount Madonna School’s goal is to make this conference possible for as many local students as possible. The requested fee is $20 per student, but if this presents a challenge, participants can contact Lower School Director Lisa Martin (408) 846-4029 or mun@mountmadonnaschool.org to discuss. n

Register at https://www.mountmadonnaschool.org/hawk-life/model-un/