State Sues Gas Station Chain for Endangering Groundwater

A gas station chain primarily serving truck fleets has been sued by California for violating underground fuel storage laws for years. "TravelCenters of America has knowingly and repeatedly disregarded California's underground fuel storage laws for years," Attorney General Brown said in a statement today. "This has put the Inland Empire's scarce groundwater supplies at serious risk of contamination." Brown's legal complaint in the suit include the company's failing to manage hazardous waste containers and not having audible/visual alarm systems for monitoring. TravelCenters responded to the suit, offering more than a dozen legal theories as to why the law does not apply, the State Attorney's office said. This includes claims that the law is unconstitutional, is pre-empted by federal law, and violates due process.