County Seeks Funding for Fuel Tank Replacement Project
Wasco County is looking to replace four aging underground fuel tanks operated by its Public Works department. This initiative is in the early stages, and while the overall project is estimated to cost more than $800,000, the immediate focus is on securing financial assistance.
Current Infrastructure
The county has:
- In The Dalles:
- 10,000-gallon unleaded tank
- 12,000-gallon diesel tank
- In Wamic:
- 1,000-gallon unleaded tank
- 2,000-gallon diesel tank
All four tanks are over 30 years old.
Compliance and Risks
While the tanks currently meet Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regulations, their age poses a risk of leakage or seepage. Therefore, the county plans to decommission these tanks and replace them with aboveground storage options.
Funding Strategies
To support this project:
- Wasco County is working with Global Grant Services to explore financial options.
- It aims to secure a $225,000 forgivable loan from Business Oregon’s Industrial Site Loan Fund. This funding will cover costs for planning, environmental assessments, and engineering required for the decommissioning process.
Next Steps
On Wednesday, county commissioners will consider granting authorization for Public Works Director Arthur Smith to submit the loan application to Business Oregon. However, they are not being asked to approve the overall replacement project at this time. The plan for financing the remaining costs of the project has not been detailed.
