Greka Energy has been responsible for three major, and numerous minor oil spills in the area in the past two years.

The EPA has been on-site since the spill, assisting the California Department of Fish and Game to address the more than 25,000-gallon crude oil spill near Buellton, Calif. Overfilling of a produced water tank caused the spill, which continued to flow for 13 hours before it was discovered by Greka Energy.

“We have significant concerns whenever a company has repeated releases of oil to the environment and this is the second major release from a Greka Energy facility since December 2007,” said Daniel Meer, Chief of the Response, Planning and Assessment Branch for the Superfund Division in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “We will use all available tools under the Clean Water Act to ensure that this company is brought into compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.”

While concentrating on cleanup efforts at the current spill site, the agency is also taking action to prevent future spills. The EPA is currently inspecting Greka facilities throughout the region to determine what control measures are necessary to prevent future spills.