On March 8, NYS Environmental Conservation Officers Pabes and Smith concluded a four-month investigation into several 55-gallon drums abandoned at a Salvation Army donation site in Elmont, in northwestern Hempstead, Nassau County, NY.
On the morning of November 7, 2022, Officer Pabes and Nassau County Fire Marshalls responded to the location and found the drums filled with what was later determined to be home heating oil. Using surveillance footage and other evidence collected at the scene, Pabes and Smith tracked down the responsible party at his home in Cambria Heights, Queens.
During an interview, the ECOs say the man admitted to renting a truck and leaving the drums of oil at the donation facility.
The man, who has not been identified by authorities, received a Notice of Violation for illegal disposal of solid waste and was ordered to properly dispose of the drums. He faces penalties of up to $15,000, in addition to cleanup costs.
Photo provided by DEC.
I wonder if the home heating oil was “new” and he pumped it out of the oil tank in his home or if it was contaminated heating oil.
I guess when homeowners transition from using oil to heat their homes to another type of fuel, the homeowner is stuck with the oil they still have. If that’s the case, discuss what to do with the oil with the previous oil delivery company and/or the new company that’ll be supplying your new type of fuel.