Attorney General's News Release

February 6, 2013

Gas station owner agrees to obtain insurance for underground storage tank

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster said today a St. Louis area gas station owner has agreed to obtain insurance for his underground storage tanks, as required by state law.

Koster said his office reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed against Ken Bhakta, the owner of Quick Mart, a gas station located at 9725 Lackland, in Overland, for violations of Missouri’s Underground Storage Tank Law (UST Law).

In the settlement, Mr. Bhakta agreed to get insurance to cover damage for any leaks from the tanks and to comply with the UST Law. He was also fined $7,000, with $5,000 suspended on the condition that Mr. Bhakta stay in compliance with the agreement for at least five years.

“I intend to vigorously enforce Missouri’s underground storage tank laws,” Koster said. “Underground storage tank laws protect all Missouri citizens by removing substandard storage tanks that pose an increased risk of leaking and contaminating soil and groundwater, and requiring that active tanks remain properly insured,” Koster said.