CT Reaches Settlement Over Largest Gas Spill In State History: AG

CONNECTICUT — The state has reached a settlement with Soundview Transportation for a November 2022 tanker accident in Norfolk which resulted in a large gasoline spill.

Attorney General William Tong on Wednesday announced the company will pay $350,000 under the terms of the settlement.

In addition, the company must pay for the ongoing remediation and clean-up of the site, which is costing “millions of dollars,” according to Tong. He said the state is monitoring the clean-up effort closely.

“Soundview’s tanker accident resulted in the largest oil spill in Connecticut history—with severe disruption to neighbors and significant environmental harm,” Tong said. “Today’s $350,000 settlement, including a substantial penalty, sends a clear message that those who violate our environmental laws will be held accountable.”

The accident happened on Nov. 5, 2022. The tanker truck, which Soundview leased and operated, hit a utility pole and fire hydrant on Route 44. The truck rolled over and slid. The truck’s entire cargo of 8,200 gallons of gasoline spilled out, contaminating nearby residential yards and entering the town’s stormwater sewer system and nearby surface water and groundwater, according to Tong.

For the ongoing cleanup, workers have had to remove contaminated material.

According to the Attorney General’s office, the ground within the two nearest properties was saturated by gasoline and had to be excavated 9 feet deep, resulting in the removal of approximately 600 tons of contaminated soil. Vacuum trucks have removed approximately 90,000 gallons of contaminated water. Norfolk has a website with information and to provide updates to residents.

The $350,000 payment to the state includes a $100,000 civil penalty, a $200,000 payment to compensate the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the cost of overseeing remediation, and a $50,000 payment to the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Fund to support enforcement actions on behalf of Connecticut consumers.

This week’s settlement also addresses two smaller spills, one in Milford on March 16, 2023 and one at the Gateway Montville terminal on September 13, 2023. Both spills have been remediated, according to Tong’s office.