Note: this conviction is currently subject to appeal

BG Transco Ltd was found guilty of polluting the Black Lynn Burn at Oban Sheriff Court on 18th December 2001 and were fined £4000. The charge against them related to diesel fuel overfilling a generator fuel tank on 29/30 March 2000. The prosecution was the result of a report submitted to the Procurator Fiscal by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

A complaint was received by SEPA on 29 March 2000, reporting diesel oil in the Black Lynn burn. Investigations by SEPA found that the diesel had leaked from a standby generator at Transco’s Oban site. At the trial, evidence was by the prosecution that Transco had admitted that the incident had occured as a result of the main diesel storage tank valve being left slightly open

SEPA Environmental Protection Officer, Ronnie Robinson said: “The Agency is delighted that the Sheriff has taken the pollution of the Black Lynn Burn seriously. Especially in light of recent efforts by locals to keep this local amenity clean and tidy. Hopefully this fine will send a message to others that steps must be taken to ensure that pollution does not happen and that our environment is preserved and able to sustain the natural habitat.”

ENDS

Notes

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) was established under the Environment Act 1995.

Its main duty is to protect the environment by controlling pollution to land, air and water in Scotland.