19 L.A. Arco Stations Closed During Probe
BP Amoco has temporarily closed 19 Arco service stations in Los Angeles County because of concerns about their underground storage tanks.
Some of the stations have had all pumps closed and others only some pumps, a company spokesman said.
The closures came nearly two weeks after California environmental officials revealed they are investigating whether Atlantic Richfield Co., which recently merged into BP Amoco, falsified public records to conceal that required safety improvements were not performed on some underground storage tanks.
BP Amoco has denied the charge.
The company closed the 19 stations “out of an abundance of caution” while it examines the matter, the spokesman said. “Once we found out there might be issues, we took a look [at the underground tanks], and that is what led to this action.”
However, he added, the tanks at the closed stations are not leaking.
BP Amoco is applying for permits to upgrade the tanks if necessary, he said. BP Amoco or contractor-dealers operate 1,726 Arco gasoline stations, of which 389 are in Los Angeles County.
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