EPA Fines Fuel Carrier After 1,680-Gallon Biodiesel Spill Contaminates Maine Waterways

LEWISTON, MAINE — A February 2024 biodiesel spill on the Bates College campus in Lewiston, Maine, has resulted in a federal enforcement action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which announced this week that P.S. Marston Associates, LLC will pay a $49,528 civil penalty for Clean Water Act violations.

The incident occurred when a truck delivering biodiesel to the college experienced a catastrophic release during a transfer operation. According to EPA officials, the driver failed to follow the company’s standard operating procedures and left the truck unattended. This resulted in a hose detaching from the tank, releasing approximately 1,680 gallons of biodiesel. The fuel spilled into a parking lot and entered storm drains that empty into Jepson Creek — with a visible sheen later reported in the Androscoggin River.

“This settlement holds accountable a company that polluted Maine waterways and was not able to contain all of the spilled biodiesel before it reached Jepson Creek and the Androscoggin River,” said Mark Sanborn, EPA New England Regional Administrator. “This case exemplifies EPA’s core mission to protect human health and the environment and ensure clean air, land, and water for every American.”

What Is the Clean Water Act?

Originally passed in 1972, the Clean Water Act (CWA) is one of the United States’ foundational environmental laws. Its goal is to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters — including rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands — by preventing pollution and ensuring surface waters meet standards safe for humans and wildlife. Under the CWA, it is illegal to discharge pollutants, including oil and hazardous substances, into navigable waters without a permit. The Act also requires immediate reporting and response to spills and gives EPA enforcement authority to fine violators and mandate cleanup measures.

In this case, the EPA cited P.S. Marston for violating the CWA by allowing biodiesel to reach protected waters without proper containment, response, or permitting.

Immediate Response and Ongoing Monitoring

Following the spill, Bates College contacted the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the National Response Center. Booms were deployed in Jepson Brook and storm drains to limit the spread, but officials confirmed that recovery efforts in the Androscoggin River were hampered by ice and high water levels. While no fish or wildlife deaths were reported, EPA officials emphasized the ongoing risk posed by spills — particularly in winter conditions when recovery is more difficult.

P.S. Marston, which operates as Abenaqui Carriers, acknowledged that not all the spilled fuel was recovered. The company has pledged to review safety protocols and improve training, but environmental advocates and local residents have raised concerns about long-term monitoring and the effectiveness of current infrastructure in preventing similar incidents.

The EPA says this enforcement is part of a broader national effort to protect U.S. waterways and ensure companies handling fuel and chemicals are prepared to prevent and respond to spills.