KINDER MORGAN WATCH

Chesapeake tank inspections detail violations

http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_070809_ches_tank_...

06:19 PM EDT on Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Reported by: Patrick Terpstra

CHESAPEAKE -- After a two-million gallon fertilizer tank collapsed, flooding a neighborhood last September, every tank farm in Chesapeake was inspected.

Many of the tanks contain flammable material, such as gasoline.

Using the Freedom of Information Act, 13News obtained inspection reports from four of the eight tank farms.

The Chesapeake Fire Marshal’s Office would not disclose results from the other four tank farms that still have open investigations, which includes Allied Terminals, which owned the failed fertilizer tank.

“All in all my feeling is the terminals are trying to maintain (the tanks) and are good corporate citizens,” said Chesapeake deputy fire marshal Don Fowler.

Kinder Morgan Terminals and Citgo Petroleum each were cited for having contractors working without proper permits.

The Hess Corporation had one violation – extension cords being used as permanent wirings.

The list for Apex Oil Company included an improperly labeled tank and a tank with work orders on site and un-mounted fire extinguishers.

“All the open violations are moving forward to be corrected,” Fowler said.

Michael Clifton, who works across the street from Apex Oil Company, says the inspection results give him peace of mind.

“It's just little stuff, nothing to be concerned about,” he stated.

VIOLATIONS:

Apex Oil at 428 Barnes Road

-Fuel equipment improperly stored in building office

-Private hydrants not maintained

-Emergency lighting not maintained

-Extension cords used as permanent wiring

-Fire extinguishers not mounted

Citgo Petroleum at 110 Freeman Ave.

-Contractors working without permits

Hess Corporation at 4030 Buell St.

-Extension cords used as permanent wiring

Kinder Morgan Terminals

-Contractors working without permits