The UK’s leading supplier of LPG, Calor, is urging businesses in off-mains gas areas to rethink their fuel strategy following an alarming Government report into oil pollution which reveals that 61 per cent of all incidents reported in 2006 were commercial premises.
The report, commissioned as a direct response to a question posed to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, details the number of oil spills at residential and commercial premises in England during the last five years.
The response states that there were 1,252 reported oil pollution incidents in 2006 with 763 - an alarming 64 per cent - being commercial incidents. The report also highlights that four of the eight English regions had more oil pollution incidents in 2006 than the previous year with the Midlands area demonstrating a staggering 20 per cent increase on commercial incidents.
Calor commercial market manager, Sabrina Jackson, says: “Businesses that store more than 200 litres of oil above ground at an industrial, commercial or institutional site must comply with new oil regulations that came fully into force in September 2005.
“Financially the regulations could have a huge impact on oil users. Failure to comply with the regulations is a criminal offence with the fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance and up to £20,000 if the Environmental Agency finds that the land has been contaminated due to an oil leak. In addition, commercial users may be responsible for clean up costs that could run in to tens of thousands of pounds.“
Referring to the report, Sabrina continues: “Many organisations have taken the regulations on board but it is worrying that such a high percentage of incidents are occurring at commercial properties. What’s more, the Environment Agency has estimated that a third of all oil pollution incidents go unreported so the real story may be much worse.
“Businesses should also be aware that if they have an oil spill, the company is responsible for the clean-up of the oil and some oil may penetrate into the ground. Therefore, many years down the line, even after the company has moved premises, they will still be responsible for contamination discovered on the land or nearby rivers if it is deemed the result of the original spill.
Calor LPG offers a cleaner burning alternative to oil that eliminates the risks associated with fuel spillage and unlike oil tanks, LPG bulk tanks remain the responsibility of the LPG supplier. Calor’s bulk storage tanks are subject to regular inspections and maintenance backed by a 24 hour emergency service, giving schools, churches, factories and many others rural businesses peace of mind.
Calor has produced a fact sheet to help businesses comply with the oil storage regulations laying out the details simply so that businesses can make an informed choice and can fully understand what is required of them. For a copy of Calor’s Oil Regulations Factsheet, or for further information, please contact Calor on 0800 216 659 or visit www.calor.co.uk/factsheet.
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Issued on behalf of Calor by Connect PR
For further information, please contact:
Kathy Hodson / Sue Foster
Connect PR. The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT
Tel: 01902 714957 / 07890 381725
Email: kathy@connect-group.com / suefoster@connect-group.com
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