Portland OR (5/7/2013) – Portland-based Oil Re-Refining Co., a collector and recycler of used petroleum and related materials, must pay an $8,000 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality penalty for polluting state waters after one of its tanker trucks crashed on Oregon Highway 22 in Marion County.

The truck, carrying about 4,000 gallons of used oil, crashed on the highway on Nov. 14, 2011 east of Salem. Approximately 2,750 gallons of oil leaked from the vehicle onto the road surface, where an unknown quantity flowed to an unnamed tributary of the North Santiam River. Oregon State Police cited the truck?s driver for failing to properly maintain his lane.

DEQ issued the penalty because oil is a significant water pollutant that can kill or harm aquatic life and waterfowl and cause public waters to become unfit for fishing, drinking water and other uses. In assessing the penalty, DEQ took into account Oil Re-Refining?s efforts to minimize environmental impacts from the accident by conducting a prompt cleanup of the spill.

Oil Re-Refining Co., located at 4150 N. Suttle Road, Portland, did not appeal its penalty, and the full penalty amount is now due.

Contacts: Jeff Bachman, Environmental Law Specialist, Portland, 503-229-5950; Wes Gebb, State On-Scene Spills Coordinator, Eugene 541-687-7465