Attorney General's News Release

June 28, 2011

Attorney General Koster gets injunction against Lawrence County gas station for underground storage tank violations

Jefferson City, Mo. -- Attorney General Chris Koster said today an Aurora gas station is endangering Missourians’ health and the environment by failing to obtain the necessary insurance to protect against underground fuel spills, as required by law. Koster’s office has obtained a preliminary injunction shutting down the operation of George’s Store until it obtains the required insurance.

Koster said George’s Store, a gas station and convenience store located at 103 Pin Oak in Aurora, is owned and operated by George Fanatia. There are underground storage tanks on the premises that receive and store gasoline, but the business does not have insurance in place for corrective action should an accident occur, despite being given ample opportunity to comply with the law.

“Accidents related to underground storage tanks can cause serious damage to people, property, and the environment,” Koster said. “It is important that business owners have adequate insurance or other financial resources to remediate damage should an accident occur. The Attorney General’s Office is committed to ensuring that these businesses do not operate, unless or until they have necessary resources to cover the risk.”