Tanknology-NDE, International Inc. agreed to plead guilty to 10 felony counts of presenting false claims and making false statements of its underground storage tank (UST) testing services at 10 different federal districts, announced the Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tanknology has also agreed to pay a $1 million criminal fine and restitution of $1,290,000 to the U.S. From January 1997 until December 1999, Tanknology has admitted that its testers had performed false tests at federal facilities across the country, including the U.S. Postal facilities, military bases, and a NASA facility. Headquartered in Austin, TX, Tanknology is the largest UST testing company in the U.S., with four regional offices and six field offices located across the country. Underground storage tanks contain petroleum products, including gasoline. All UST owners and operators are required by law to have their tanks tested to ensure that their systems are not leaking any petroleum into the soil or groundwater. Leaking UST can pose health and environmental risks, including the potential for fire and explosion. In addition to paying the criminal fine and restitution, Tanknology will serve a term of probation of five years. The company will also implement a quality management system to ensure that false and improper testing practices don't occur in the future.