Time to think of holiday sharing

Join U.Va.'s "Holiday Sharing" program in bringing food and gifts to more than 100 families in the Charlottesville area this holiday season. To help sponsor a family or to donate goods, call Madison House at 977-7051 before Nov. 19.

EPA fines University

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined U.Va. $29,989 for failing to develop and keep on site an oil spill prevention plan for its above-ground oil tanks. The EPA discovered U.Va.'s violation during an inspection in September.

According to University officials, U.Va. does have a general plan for spill prevention and recovery procedures, but it does not meet the specific federal requirements. EPA requires a detailed, certified plan for each tank and location.

There are more than 40 storage tanks at U.Va., with about 20 of them above ground, totaling 99,600 gallons. They store oil or gasoline, used by various departments for such purposes as heating, fuel for emergency generators and motor fuel for buses and other state vehicles.

U.Va.'s Office of Environmental Health & Safety is taking the lead on developing the required plans, in collaboration with Facilities Management.