631 E. 220 LLC - Order, December 19, 2011
Order, December 19, 2011
STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
In the Matter of the Alleged Violations of Article 17 of
the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York
("ECL") and Section 612.2 of Title 6 of the Official
Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of
New York ("6 NYCRR"),
-by-
631 E. 220 LLC,
Respondent.
ORDER
DEC Case No. PBS 2-328324NTM
On December 5, 2011, an adjudicatory hearing was convened before Richard R. Wissler, Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ("Department") Office of Hearings and Mediation Services, The hearing addressed Department staff's allegations that respondent 631 E. 220 LLC violated petroleum storage registration requirements in 6 NYCRR 612.2. In its complaint, Department staff alleged that respondent failed to reregister its petroleum storage facility at 631 East 220th Street, Bronx, New York 10467 ("site"), within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of the facility to it in calendar year 2005. Located at the site is an apartment building with a five thousand (5,000) gallon heating oil tank.
ALJ Wissler prepared the attached hearing report, which I adopt as my decision in this matter. As set forth in the ALJ's hearing report, respondent 631 E. 220 LLC failed to file an answer to the complaint served by Department staff in this matter, failed to appear at a pre-hearing conference scheduled for July 27, 2011, as directed in the cover letter served with the notice of hearing and complaint, and failed to appear for the adjudicatory hearing scheduled in this matter on August 30, 2011, as directed in the notice of hearing ( see Hearing Report, at 4 [Finding of Fact No. 9]). At the time that Department staff commenced this administrative action, respondent had not reregistered the tank, and as Department staff testified at the adjudicatory hearing on December 5, 2011, a subsequent search did not find any facility registration, renewal registration, or re-registration, filed by respondent following commencement of the action ( see Hearing Report, at 4 [Findings of Fact 6 and 7]).
As a consequence of respondent's failure to answer or appear in this matter, the ALJ recommended that Department staff's motion for a default judgment be granted ( see Hearing Report, at 5). I concur that staff is entitled to a judgment on default pursuant to 6 NYCRR 622.15. Furthermore, at the hearing, Department staff presented a prima facie case on the merits and proved its case by a preponderance of the evidence ( see Hearing Report, at 5). Accordingly, staff is entitled to a judgment based on record evidence.
Department staff, in its papers, sought a penalty of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). ECL 71-1929 provides for a penalty of up to thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($37,500) per day for each violation, and the requested penalty is substantially below this statutory amount. I note that the violation in this matter has continued for more than six (6) years ( see Hearing Exhibits 6 and 8). Based on this record and the civil penalties imposed in similar cases, the requested penalty of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in this case is authorized and appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, having considered this matter and being duly advised, it is ORDERED that:
I. Department staff's motion for a default judgment pursuant to 6 NYCRR 622.15 is granted. By failing to answer or appear in this proceeding, respondent 631 E. 220 LLC waived its right to be heard at the hearing.
II. Based upon record evidence, respondent 631 E. 220 LLC is adjudged to have violated 6 NYCRR 612.2 for failing to reregister its petroleum storage facility located at 631 East 220th Street, Bronx, New York 10467, within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of the facility to it.
III. Within fifteen (15) days of the service of this order upon respondent, respondent shall submit to the Department a petroleum bulk storage facility re-registration application, plus applicable registration fees.
IV. Within fifteen (15) days of the service of this order upon respondent, respondent 631 E. 220 LLC shall pay a civil penalty in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) by certified check, cashier's check or money order made payable to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
V. The facility petroleum bulk storage re-registration application, applicable registration fees, and the penalty payment shall be sent to the following address:
Office of General Counsel
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway, 14th Floor
Albany, New York 12233-1500
Attn: Brooke Turallo.
VI. Any questions or other correspondence regarding this order shall also be addressed to Brooke Turallo at the address referenced in paragraph V of this order.
VII. The provisions, terms and conditions of this order shall bind respondent 631 E. 220 LLC, its agents, successors and assigns, in any and all capacities.
For the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation
By: /s/
Joseph J. Martens
Commissioner
Dated: Albany, New York
December 19, 2011
STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
In the Matter of the Alleged Violations of Article 17 of
the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York
("ECL") and Section 612.2 of Title 6 of the Official
Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of
New York ("6 NYCRR"),
-by-
631 E. 220 LLC,
Respondent.
HEARING REPORT
DEC CASE NO: PBS 2-328324NTM
Procedural History
On June 30, 2011, Respondent 631 E. 220 LLC was served with a notice of hearing and complaint, dated June 6, 2011, alleging a violation of ECL 17-1009 and its implementing regulation, 6 NYCRR 612.2, for failure to reregister its petroleum storage facility located at 631 East 220th Street, Bronx, New York 10467, within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of the facility to it. The complaint seeks an order of the Commissioner (1) finding respondent in violation of ECL 17-1009 and 6 NYCRR 612.2; (2) assessing a civil penalty in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000); (3) directing respondent to reregister its PBS facility within fifteen (15) days of the service of the Commissioner's Order; and (4) granting such other and further relief as the Commissioner may deem just and proper.
Inasmuch as respondent is an active domestic limited liability company in the State of New York, service of the notice of hearing and complaint on respondent was made by serving the New York State Department of State on June 30, 2011. Respondent was also served with the notice of hearing and complaint by regular mail on June 30, 2011. Respondent failed to file an answer to the complaint and failed to appear at a pre-hearing conference scheduled for July 27, 2011, as directed in the cover letter served with the notice of hearing and complaint.
As stated in the notice of hearing, on August 30, 2011, an adjudicatory hearing was convened before Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") Richard R. Wissler of the Department of Environmental Conservation's ("Department") Office of Hearings and Mediation Services ("OHMS") at the Department's Region 2 offices, 1 Hunter's Point Plaza, 47-40 21st Street, Long Island City, New York 11101-5401. Department staff was represented by Scott W. Caruso, Esq., Section Chief, Spill and Bulk Storage Section, Office of General Counsel, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1500. No one appeared on behalf of respondent.
Department staff indicated that it was prepared to proceed with the hearing, proffering a program staff witness. Noting for the record that respondent had failed to answer the complaint, failed to appear for the prehearing conference and failed to appear for the adjudicatory hearing, Department staff orally moved for a default judgment pursuant to 6 NYCRR 622.15. The ALJ reserved on the default motion, allowing the record to remain open for Department staff to submit the documentation required by 6 NYCRR 622.15 (b). Moreover, the ALJ noted Department staff's readiness for hearing and noted the failure of the respondent to appear. The ALJ advised that the hearing, in the absence of the respondent, would be convened on a subsequent date.
On December 5, 2011, the adjudicatory hearing was convened before ALJ Wissler at the Department's Central Office at 625 Broadway, Albany, New York. Pursuant to an order of the Third Judicial Department, issued in accordance with its Rules at 22 NYCRR 805.5, Department staff was represented by legal intern Rachel Arata under the supervision of Scott W. Caruso, Esq., Section Chief, Spill and Bulk Storage Section, Office of General Counsel, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1500. Department staff orally renewed its motion for a default judgment, and also sought judgment on the merits.
Department staff called one witness, Cynthia Freedman, Environmental Program Specialist 2 in the Department's Division of Environmental Remediation, Registration and Permits Section, in the Department's Central Office. In all, eleven (11) exhibits were received in evidence ( see attached Exhibit Chart).
Default Provisions
In accordance with 6 NYCRR 622.4(a), a respondent upon whom a complaint has been served must file an answer to the complaint within twenty days of the date of such service. A failure to timely file an answer to the complaint constitutes a default in the proceeding. As applicable herein, the Department's default procedures in an enforcement proceeding, found at 6 NYCRR 622.15, provide:
"(a) A respondent's failure to file a timely answer
(b) The motion for a default judgment may be made orally on the record
(1) proof of service upon the respondent of the notice of hearing and complaint
(2) proof of the respondent's failure ... to file a timely answer; and
(3) a proposed order."
As the Commissioner stated in the decision and order in Matter of Alvin Hunt, d/b/a Our Cleaners (Decision and Order dated July 25, 2006, at 6), "a defaulting respondent is deemed to have admitted the factual allegations of the complaint and all reasonable inferences that flow from them [citations omitted]."
Applicable Regulatory Provision
Section 612.2. Registration of Facilities
(a) Existing facilities.
(1) Within one year of the effective date of these regulations, the owner of any petroleum storage facility having a capacity of over 1,100 gallons must register the facility with the department. This shall include any out-of-service facility which has not been permanently closed.
(2) Registration must be renewed every five years from the date of the last valid registration until the department receives written notice that the facility has been permanently closed or that ownership of the facility has been transferred.
(b) Transfer of ownership. If ownership of the facility changes, the new owner must reregister the facility with the department within 30 days of ownership transfer.
(c) New facilities. The owner must register any new facility with the department before it is placed in service.
(d) Substantially modified facilities. Within 30 days prior to substantially modifying a facility, the owner must notify the department of such modification on forms supplied by the department.
Findings of Fact
- Respondent 631 E. 220 LLC is the owner of a petroleum storage facility having a capacity of over 1,100 gallons located at 631 East 220th Street, Bronx, New York 10467 ("facility"). In particular, petroleum storage tank number 001 at the facility has a capacity of 5,000 gallons and is located aboveground. (Staff Exhibits 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8.)
- Respondent is an active domestic limited liability company in the State of New York. (Staff Exhibit 4.)
- Pursuant to a registration application filed by the then owner of the facility, Algil Realty Co., L.L.C., received by the Department on July 19, 2002, the Department, on July 23, 2002, issued Petroleum Bulk Storage ("PBS") Certificate Number 2-328324, registering the facility. This registration expired on October 2, 2007. Moreover, in bold capital letters, at the bottom of the Certificate is the following declaration: "THIS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IS NON-TRANSFERABLE." (Staff Exhibits 5, 6 and 7.)
- On April 15, 2005, Algil Realty Co., L.L.C., by bargain and sale deed with covenant against grantor's acts, transferred all right, title and interest in the facility to respondent 631 E. 220 LLC, the facility's current owner. This deed is recorded in the Office of the City Register of the City of New York, Document ID No. 2005041900691001. (Staff Exhibit 8.)
- Cynthia Freedman is an employee of the Department whose duties include the care, custody, and maintenance of the petroleum storage facility records filed with the Department, which records include petroleum facility registrations filed pursuant to 6 NYCRR 612.2. (Testimony of Freedman.)
- On December 5, 2011, Cynthia Freedman searched the petroleum storage facility records of the Department for any facility registration or renewal registration or any facility re-registration filed by respondent for the facility. (Testimony of Freedman.)
- As a result of her search, Cynthia Freedman determined that respondent had not reregistered the facility at any time after assuming its ownership. (Testimony of Freedman.)
- As shown by Receipt for Service No. 201107180235 issued by the New York State Department of State, respondent was served, on June 30, 2011, pursuant to section 303 of the Limited Liability Company Law with a notice of hearing and complaint dated June 6, 2011, alleging a violation of ECL 17-1009 and its implementing regulation, 6 NYCRR 612.2, for failure to reregister its petroleum storage facility located at 631 East 220th Street, Bronx, New York 10467, within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of the facility to it. The notice of hearing and complaint was also served on respondent by regular mail on June 30, 2011. (Staff Exhibits 2 and 3.)
- Respondent failed to file an answer to the complaint; failed to appear at a pre-hearing conference scheduled for July 27, 2011, as directed in the cover letter served with the notice of hearing and complaint; and failed to appear for the adjudicatory hearing scheduled in the matter on August 30, 2011, as directed in the notice of hearing. (Hearing Record.)
Discussion
Department staff's proof presents a prima facie case demonstrating that respondent failed to reregister its petroleum storage facility located at 631 East 220th Street, Bronx, New York 10467, within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of the facility to it, in violation of 6 NYCRR 612.2.
The record shows that respondent failed to file an answer to the complaint; failed to appear at a pre-hearing conference scheduled for July 27, 2011, as directed in the cover letter served with the notice of hearing and complaint; and failed to appear for the adjudicatory hearing scheduled in the matter on August 30, 2011, as directed in the notice of hearing. The Department is entitled to a default judgment in this matter pursuant to the provisions of 6 NYCRR 622.15.
Moreover, the proof adduced at the hearing, conducted in respondent's absence, demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that respondent failed to reregister its petroleum storage facility within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of the facility to it, in violation of 6 NYCRR 612.2. The Department is entitled to judgment upon the facts proven.
Department staff's proposed order and the $10,000 civil penalty it seeks are consistent with the Department's penalty policy as well as applicable provisions of ECL article 71.
Recommendation
Based upon the foregoing, I recommend that the Commissioner issue an order:
1. Granting Department staff's motion for default, finding respondent in default pursuant to the provisions of 6 NYCRR 622.15;
2. Finding respondent in violation of 6 NYCRR 612.2 for failure to reregister its petroleum storage facility located at 631 East 220th Street, Bronx, New York 10467, within 30 days of the transfer of ownership of the facility to it, based upon the proof adduced at the adjudicatory hearing;
3. Directing respondent to submit a re-registration application to the Department for the above facility;
4. Directing respondent to pay a civil penalty in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00); and
5. Directing such other and further relief as he may deem just and proper.
/s/
Richard R. Wissler
Administrative Law Judge
Dated: Albany, New York
December 16, 2011
EXHIBIT CHART - PBS EXPEDITED PROCEEDINGS
Matter of 631 E. 220 LLC - Region 2
December 5, 2011
Edirol File No. 030104110117
| Exhibit No. | Description | ID'd? | Rec'd? | Offered By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 2, 2011, consent to the appearance of Rachel Arata. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 1 A | November 27, 2011, order (Mercure) for appointment of law intern Rachel Arata. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 2 | Pleadings, including: cover letter, dated June 10, 2011; notice of hearing, complaint, and statement of readiness (all dated June 6, 2011), with affidavit in support of Deborah Gorman, sworn to June 14, 2011. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 3 | Affidavit of Service of Brooke Turallo, sworn to September 26, 2011, including NYS Department of State receipt. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 4 | New York State Department of State Division of Corporations Entity Information website printout. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 5 | PBS Application. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 6 | PBS Certificate Number 2-328324, issued July 23, 2002; expired October 2, 2007. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 7 | Facility Information Report. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 8 | Deed. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 9 | ACRIS Search Results. | x | x | Department Staff | |
| 10 | Affidavit of Rachel Arata, sworn to December 2, 2011. | x | x | Department Staff |
