The Region - News from Jan. 30, 1987

Atlantic Richfield Co. agreed to pay $42,594 in civil penalties and costs to settle a consumer protection suit alleging that the company sold diesel fuel at retail outlets with a flash point below state safety standards. Deputy Dist. Atty. James R. Hickey said state investigators discovered that some ARCO diesel fuel was igniting at less than the 125 degrees required by law, apparently after an ARCO subcontractor mistakenly injected gasoline additives into the fuel at the company’s South Gate distribution terminal. ARCO spokesman Jay Kowal said the company recalled an estimated 100,000 gallons of fuel immediately after learning of the problem. Though the lower flash point creates a potential fire hazard, no safety problems resulted, officials said. Under the settlement, in which ARCO admits no liability, the company also agreed to conduct quality-control testing on its diesel fuel for two years.