Things have changed since then, as cars became more dependable and were able to travel farther without filling up, many of those tiny independent service stations went out of business.   Others became part of huge state and regional chains.  In larger cities, gas stations now provide fuel and convenience items while service centers, 30-minute oil-change centers, tire stores and muffler shops offer the repair services that used to be the mainstay of independent service stations.

But in many communities, independent service stations continue to provide important services and supplies.  Those independent dealers often operate in rural areas where population and traffic levels do not meet the criteria of corporate stores.  The owner is often a neighbor and friend to his customers.

The remaining independent service station owners have been particularly hard hit by new environmental regulations.  Many of the owners must repair or replace old, leaky fuel storage tanks to meet current regulations.  That in itself is expensive, but if fuel, waste oil or battery acid has contaminated soil or water supplies, clean-up costs can soar.

Corporate filling stations often build new facilities or improve old stations.  Consequently their tanks and other equipment are less prone to contaminate the surrounding environment.  And, in general, most corporations are better prepared financially to face the costs associated with meeting regulations and cleaning up any spills.   That’s not true of most independent owners.

Many independent station owners are operating businesses that were founded by their fathers or grandfathers.  Competition is fierce and profit margins are slim.  Oil or fuel spills that happened years ago can come back to close their doors.

Iowa Farmers, trucking firms and other businesses that handle oil, fuel, chemicals and batteries face the same problems.  It is becoming common for banks to demand an environmental inspection before they will approve farm mortgages.

There is some state assistance available, but it is far too little.  Experts now predict that cleaning up all of Iowa’s underground fuel and oil storage tanks will cost more than double estimated made just a year ago.

Critics say that because the operators caused the problems, they deserve to foot the clean-up costs.  But attitudes about what is environmentally harmful have changed a great deal in the last decade.   It was only recently that we learned of the extent of the problem and the serious environmental implications.  It wasn’t that long ago that waste oil was considered a good dust suppressant on street and driveways.

Iowa lawmakers are expected to take a second look at Iowa’s environmental laws and regulations this year.  Perhaps they should consider a multi-year approach.  A problem that was 50 years in the making can’t be solved overnight.  Or a portion of gas tax money could be diverted to help with clean-up costs.

The Iowa Legislature should be applauded fir the steps it has taken to protect the state’s environment and natural resources.  But those policies need to be fine tuned and modified now.  Despite budget constraints, some steps need to be taken to ease the burden on this important sector of the Iowa economy while making certain that environmental contamination is minimized.