The Tanker Spill and the Tank Farm

For those traveling through the City late Saturday on Route 236 (Main Street/Litte River Turnpike), you probably noticed that your travels were delayed. The reason as most know, was that a Baltimore Lines gas tanker overturned at the corner of Pickett and Main. The truck, according to the fire department, was trying to beat the light and sped up, going to fast as it made the lefthand turn, hitting the curb and overturning.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. However, 4,000 gallons of gas leaked out and caused a major traffic jam for hours. Thanks to our wonderful City and County fire departments, City and County police and the George Mason police for handling the incident so professionally and quickly. The gas continues to be cleaned up and crews have been working around the clock to see to it that everything can be done to ensure the spill doesn't severly damage the environment. And I should note that the City and County (as well as others involved) will be reimbursed by Baltimore Lines or whatever company is ultimately liable.

Now even though the accident was a traffic accident it has raised the subject of the tank farm and whether it should still be allowed to be there. Grant it, the accident could have happened regardless of whether the tank farm is in the City or not. But I certainly understand the linkage.

First thing people should know is that the City doesn't really have much of a say. In fact, the Commonwealth has oversight and in fact a few years ago took away localties' ability to enforce local ordinances on facilities such as the tank farm. Not a good move on the part of the state in my opinion. Maybe we can get it overturned.

Second, the tank farm's time has come and long, long gone. While I understand it's value to the larger region, it is ANOTHER accident waiting to happen. It has no place being in the middle of a residential area. Nestled between City neighborhoods and impacting adjacent County communities, the tank farm had development grow up around it. Now should be a time to re-evaluate whether it should be there at all.

Third, there is no simple solution here. For the time being the tank farm is staying put. Hopefully the state will give the City more authority to regulate it, but moving it is going to require federal, state and municipal leadership to come together and figure out a solution that works for the neighborhoods, the localites, the state and the region, which - whether we like it or not - does depend on the tank farm to distribute petroleum products.

By the way, I should note that the tank farm's management - according to the fire deparment and those whom deal with them directly - have been very forthcoming and cooperative. So, this is not an issue about them specifically, but rather a larger discussion about the suitability of having a facility such as the tank farm in the heart of our community.