Gasoline Odor at East Lansing Marathon Station Triggers EGLE Investigation

Complaints about gasoline odor coming from the AGO Marathon station at 100 E. Saginaw St. on Tuesday prompted monitoring and an investigation by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or EGLE, and the East Lansing Fire Department.

EGLE Public Information Officer Josef Stephens said the agency is aware of a potential leaking gasoline tank and is investigating the situation.

“An environmental consultant has been to the site to deploy absorbent booms in the storm sewer, and a vac truck will go to the site today to pump out any gasoline in the sewer,” he said on Tuesday. “EGLE continues to inspect the site and will conduct a tank tightness test to confirm a release.”

No additional impacts are expected, he said.

Stephens said the East Lansing Fire Department initially checked the sewers before EGLE became involved.

ELFD Interim Chief John Newman told East Lansing Info by phone on Tuesday that the State of Michigan has authority over gas stations, but his staff completed two separate flammable-air readings, both of which came back negative.

Citing those readings, Newman said there was no risk to the public at this time.

ELi reached out to staff at the AGO Marathon, but no manager was on duty. American Oil & Gas of Sparta, the owner of the station, directed media requests to Jason McLaren, who was not immediately available for comment.