WASHINGTON - Sunoco Inc agreed to pay a $148,315 penalty to settle allegations it violated federal hazardous waste regulations at its 178,000 barrel-per-day oil refinery in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday.

After an August 2008 visit to the facility, EPA inspectors said they found several violations in storing hazardous waste at the plant, including including mixed refinery wastes, lab wastes and used lamps.

The agency pointed out that Sunoco's alleged wrongdoing involved storage and recordkeeping violations and not the release of hazardous waste.

The monetary penalty reflects the company's compliance efforts and its cooperation with the EPA, the agency said. However, Sunoco neither admitted or denied any wrongdoing, but the company has certified it is in compliance with federal environmental laws.

The violations that EPA said occurred at Sunoco's refinery were:

* Operating areas at a hazardous waste storage facility without a permit or interim status.

* Failure to keep containers closed except when adding or removing hazardous waste.

* Failure to clearly mark containers in permitted areas with the contents of container and dates they began accumulating waste.

* Failure to operate the facility in a manner that prevents or minimizes releases.

* Failure to operate the permitted storage area free of cracks or gaps.

* Failure to store containers of hazardous waste in a proper configuration with aisle spacing to allow for safe management, inspections and emergency response.

* Failure to keep universal waste lamps in closed containers.

* Failure to clearly label or mark containers of universal waste lamps.

* Failure to submit an exception report, make a hazardous waste determination and list the proper waste code on the manifest. (Reporting by Tom Doggett; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

Pennsylvania