October 22, 2007

The Department of Attorney General, on behalf of the Department of Environmental Quality, has filed a counter lawsuit against Michigan-based J&S Company, Inc., regarding contamination at the former Speed-E-Mart Gas Station located in the village of Milford, Oakland County. The lawsuit, filed in the Oakland County Circuit Court, also lists Michigan-based G/CSC Ltd., the previous owner of the Former Speed-E-Mart and Maryland-based BP Products North America, the owner of the Former Amoco Gas Station which is also located in the village of Milford, as defendants.

Previous releases of gasoline from the Former Speed-Mart Gas Station and the Former Amoco Gas Station have resulted in environmental contamination that poses a threat to the village of Milford's municipal well field. The DEQ spent $3.5 million of cleanup funds to install and operate a groundwater treatment system that has successfully prevented contaminants from reaching the municipal well field that provides the village of Milford with drinking water. Under state and federal environmental laws, J&S Company, G/CSC Ltd., and BP Products North America are responsible for those costs and the lawsuit seeks to recover those funds.

"The contamination in this case posed a serious public health risk, and it became necessary for the DEQ to step in and address the problem," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "Now it is time for the responsible parties, and not Michigan's taxpayers, to bear the costs of the cleanup activities."

"I am committed to protecting Michigan's environment from polluters," said Attorney General Mike Cox. "Those responsible for this pollution will be held accountable."

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised October 22, 2007 by Pat Watson