Missouri attorney general asked to investigate hazardous waste allegations at a KC gas station

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A former Kansas City gas station is under fire for allegedly violating Missouri’s Hazardous Waste Management Law.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has referred Mike’s Conoco, Inc., located near 89th and Wornall Road, to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. The Department alleges that there are underground storage tanks beneath the service station that don’t comply with state regulations.

The facility no longer sells gasoline, but the four steel tanks must be properly and permanently closed. They could still contain petroleum, which has a risk of leaking out and contaminating not only the soil, but the groundwater as well.

"Enforcing Missouri's Hazardous Waste Management Law directly relates to protecting public health and the environment," said Department Director Mark N. Templeton. "We try to work with businesses first to address the problem, but if they fail to take responsibility, we must pursue legal action."

After not getting a response from the owner of Mike’s Conoco, the Department referred the case to the attorney general to seek civil penalties for the alleged violations.

According to the Missouri Constitution, penalties are required to be paid to the school fund of the county where the violation occurred.