A Grand Rapids convenience store was penalized by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for underground storage tank violations.
A news release states Nuch’s in the Corner did not conduct the required corrosion protection inspections and maintenance of its three underground petroleum storage tanks. Over the years, the MPCA issued several warnings and citations including red tags in 2017. These red tags required two of the tanks to be emptied and taken out of service because the internal linings protecting from corrosion failed, increasing the chance of leaks and releases of petroleum to area soil and groundwater sources.
In addition to the more than $19,000 in civil penalties, Nuch’s in the Corner was also required to empty fuel from the remaining active fuel tank and remove all three of its underground tanks.
In a Facebook announcement, Nuch’s In The Corner page says the agency has “made it virtually impossible for small businesses to keep up with the upgrades they consider important,” citing soaring costs for new underground tanks.
In the same announcement, the company said the costly testing wasn’t completed because they knew the gas side of their business would be shut down by the state.