Rather than face hefty fines from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the V.I. government will close its Sub Base motor pool fueling facility.
The 600 government vehicles in St. Thomas will be issued Esso gas cards by Tuesday to buy fuel at five Esso service stations, the Independent reported Saturday.
The EPA warned last week that effective Dec. 22, all facilities with underground fuel storage tanks that were not in compliance would be fined $11,000 per day.
Samuel Baptiste, acting commissioner of Property and Procurement, said this plan is a temporary fix that will allow the government to empty the tank and leave it unused, thereby saving the $400,000 it would cost to remove the tank now and sample the area for fuel contamination.
Baptiste also said the privatization of fuel consumption and use of individual credit cards will provide a more accurate picture of fuel use by government vehicles. He said it should improve management procedures.