Mike Pence's Polluted Gas Stations: Who's Responsible?

Mike Pence's father, Edward Pence, worked for Kiel Bros. Oil Co., which operated a chain of gas stations. The company collapsed in 2004, leaving Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois with millions of dollars in cleanup costs for contaminated sites. The total financial impact is unclear, but Indiana alone has spent at least $21 million on cleanup efforts. The Pence family's political influence has been questioned in relation to the state's decision to drop its claim against Kiel Bros. in bankruptcy court. While Mike Pence himself did not own the gas stations, he lost money when the company went under and has faced criticism for his family's involvement in the polluted sites.

Mike Pence's father owned Kiel Bros. Oil Co

Mike Pence's father, Edward Pence, helped build Kiel Bros. Oil Co. into a business that owned over 200 gas stations, mostly in Indiana, with a smaller number in Kentucky and Illinois. The company was founded by businessman Carl Kiel in 1960, and Edward Pence joined in the early years, rising to corporate vice president by the mid-1970s.

Mike Pence has spoken nostalgically about his upbringing in small-town Columbus, Indiana, where his father helped build this Midwestern empire of gas stations, which provided an upbringing on the "front row of the American dream."

However, the collapse of Kiel Bros. Oil Co. in 2004 left a legacy of environmental issues and financial troubles for the states in which it operated. The company had accumulated debt and environmental fines, and after its bankruptcy, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois were left with the task of cleaning up more than 85 contaminated sites, including underground tanks that leaked toxic chemicals into the soil, streams, and wells. The total financial impact of the cleanup is not yet clear, but Indiana alone has spent at least $21 million, and Kentucky and Illinois have spent nearly $2 million. The federal government is also involved in the cleanup, addressing a plume of cancer-causing solvent discovered beneath a former Kiel Bros. station that threatens drinking water near the Pence family's hometown.

While the business was a family enterprise, it was not solely owned by the Pences. The original Kiels were still involved, and Mike Pence's brother, Greg Pence, served as CEO towards the end. When their father passed away in 1988, Greg Pence took over the business, and he resigned when the company filed for bankruptcy in 2004.

The company collapsed in 2004, leaving contaminated sites

The Kiel Bros. Oil Co., a gas station company that Mike Pence's father helped build, collapsed in 2004. The company was responsible for more than 200 gas stations across Indiana and surrounding states. The collapse of the company left a contaminated mess, with underground tanks leaking toxic chemicals into the soil, streams, and wells.

The environmental impact of the company's failure has been significant. Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois are still dealing with the aftermath, facing millions of dollars in cleanup costs. Indiana alone has spent at least $21 million on remediation, with Kentucky and Illinois spending nearly $2 million combined. The total financial impact is likely even higher, as some cost figures for contaminated areas in Indiana are yet to be released.

The Pence family's involvement in the company has come under scrutiny. Mike Pence lost more than $600,000 when the company collapsed, and his brother, Greg Pence, was CEO towards the end. The family's political influence has also been questioned in relation to the state's decision to drop its claim against Kiel Bros. in bankruptcy court.

The contamination left by the company has had a lasting impact on the communities affected. In Garden City, near Columbus, residents have reported smelling oil in their water drawn from private wells. The area has been designated a federal Superfund site due to the extent of pollution, which includes a plume of trichloroethylene (TCE), a cancer-causing solvent. The EPA has warned that the plume is drifting towards the aquifer that is Columbus' primary source of drinking water, posing a significant threat to public health.

The collapse of Kiel Bros. Oil Co. in 2004 has thus had far-reaching consequences, leaving a legacy of environmental damage, financial burdens, and public health risks that continue to be addressed by the affected states.

The cleanup cost Indiana over $20 million

The cleanup of contaminated sites formerly operated on by the Pence family's Kiel Bros. Oil Co. has cost Indiana over $20 million. The company, which collapsed in 2004, operated over 200 gas stations in Indiana and surrounding states. The contamination has affected more than 85 sites across Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, with underground tanks leaking toxic chemicals into the soil, streams, and wells. Indiana has spent at least $21 million on cleanup efforts, with Kentucky and Illinois spending nearly $2 million on sites in their states.

The Pence family's involvement in the company is well-documented. Mike Pence's father, Edward Pence, worked for Kiel Bros. Oil Co., and the company has been described as a family business. Mike Pence's brother, Gregory Pence, was CEO of the company towards its end. When the company went under, Mike Pence lost more than $600,000.

The environmental impact of the contaminated sites has been significant. In an area known as Garden City, residents reported smelling oil in water drawn from private wells. Garden City has since been designated a federal Superfund site, indicating it is one of the nation's most heavily polluted locations. Investigators determined that Kiel Bros. Oil Co. was the source of the oil contamination, along with a plume of trichloroethylene (TCE) detected under a gas station. TCE is a solvent used to degrease metal parts, and the plume is drifting towards Columbus' primary source of drinking water.

The cleanup costs have been a burden on taxpayers, with Kiel Bros. Oil Co. only paying for a fraction of the cleanup. The company even ranked among the top ten recipients of state funds for cleanups in 2013, nearly a decade after it went out of business. The total financial impact of the contamination is not yet clear, as Indiana officials have yet to release cost figures for 12 contaminated areas, and other records are incomplete or missing.

The Pence family's political influence has come under scrutiny in relation to the cleanup efforts. Environmental law experts and critics have called for the family to address the issue publicly, particularly Greg Pence, who has sought public office. However, the family has denied that their political influence played a role in any decisions regarding the cleanup or their involvement in the company.

The Pence family's political influence has been scrutinized

The Pence family's political influence has come under scrutiny in the context of this environmental cleanup. Greg Pence, Mike Pence's brother, was CEO of Kiel Bros. Oil Co. toward the end of its operation. Despite the company's failure, it ranked among the top recipients of state funds for cleanups in Indiana in 2013. This has raised questions about the Pence family's influence, with environmental law experts calling for transparency and accountability.

Additionally, the Pence family's political influence has extended beyond the gas station business. Mike Pence himself has had a notable political career, serving as Indiana governor and later as Vice President under Donald Trump. During his tenure, Pence made several controversial decisions, including signing laws that blocked local governments from mandating higher wages and defending Trump's decision to assassinate Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. Pence also faced criticism for his role in certifying the 2020 election results, distancing himself from Trump, and his subsequent presidential bid in 2024.

The Pence family's influence has also been scrutinized in relation to Greg Pence's political aspirations. Greg Pence sought the vice president's old congressional seat, raising questions about the family's continued political ambitions and the potential impact on environmental accountability. The Pence family's involvement in politics and their connection to the gas station business have become intertwined, with Mike Pence's nostalgic recollections of his upbringing in the gas station business contrasting with the environmental and financial fallout of the failed enterprise.

In conclusion, the Pence family's political influence has been a subject of scrutiny, particularly regarding the environmental and financial consequences of their gas station business and their broader political activities. The cleanup costs and ongoing environmental impact of the contaminated sites have brought attention to the family's role in the industry, with calls for increased transparency and accountability. The Pence family's political careers and their handling of environmental responsibilities continue to be a focus of public interest and debate.

The EPA is addressing a plume of cancer-causing solvent

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is addressing a plume of cancer-causing solvent, trichloroethylene (TCE), discovered beneath a former Kiel Bros. Oil Co. gas station. The chemical, TCE, is a solvent used to degrease metal parts. The plume was detected decades ago, drifting towards the aquifer that is Columbus, Indiana's primary source of drinking water. This contamination is one of many polluted sites left behind by the Pence family's failed gas station empire.

The Pence family, particularly Greg Pence, has faced scrutiny for their involvement in Kiel Bros. Oil Co. and the environmental fallout that ensued. The company, which operated over 200 gas stations in Indiana and surrounding states, collapsed in 2004, leaving millions of dollars in cleanup costs. Indiana has spent at least $21 million on remediation, with Kentucky and Illinois contributing nearly $2 million for sites in their states. The total financial impact is yet to be determined as some cost figures are unavailable.

The Pence family's political influence has been questioned in relation to the state's decision to drop its claim against Kiel Bros. in bankruptcy court. Despite the family's ties to the company, investigators found that the source of the pollution was Kiel Bros., contaminating the soil, streams, and wells with toxic chemicals. The plume of TCE poses a significant threat to the drinking water near the Pence family's hometown, and the EPA is taking action to address this issue.

The cleanup of the more than 85 contaminated sites is ongoing, and the work is far from complete. The federal government's plan to address the plume of cancer-causing solvent is crucial to protecting the health and safety of the community. The EPA's efforts to remediate the pollution and prevent further contamination of the drinking water source are essential to mitigating the environmental and health risks associated with the plume.

The Pence family's role in the company and the subsequent environmental impact has been a matter of public concern. The family's influence and the company's collapse have contributed to the ongoing cleanup costs, which continue to be a financial burden for the states involved. The EPA's intervention is necessary to ensure the protection of public health and the environment, demonstrating the seriousness of the contamination left by the failed gas station empire.

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