PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Oregon environmental regulators say UPS didn’t keep up with key checks and maintenance on fuel tanks used to run company vehicles — and now the company is facing a $70,991 civil penalty.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued the penalty in a notice dated Jan. 6, 2026, tied to inspections at UPS facilities in The Dalles and Tualatin.
First, what is a UST — and why would UPS have one?
A UST is an underground storage tank. Think of it as a large fuel tank buried in the ground, connected to piping and pumps.
Companies that operate lots of vehicles — including delivery fleets — may store diesel or gasoline on-site so they can fuel trucks quickly without relying on a public gas station…