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<br />IIEMOlWfDUM <br /> <br />DATE: AUGUST 16,1993 <br />TO: RICK JOPKE r-J./J ~ <br />FROM: JOHN LOFTUS~ <br />SUBJECT: UNDER GROUND VS. ABOVE GROUND TANKS <br /> <br />EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1988, THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION <br />AGENCY (EPA) BEGAN REQUIRING MORE STRINGENT SAFEGUARDS ON UNDER <br />GROUND FUEL STORAGE TANKS. <br /> <br />THESE SAFEGUARDS INCLUDE LEAK DETECTION, CORROSION PROTECTION, AND <br />SPILL / OVER FILL PROTECTION. DUE TO THE ADDED REQUIREMENTS, THE <br />COSTS OF INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING THE SYSTEMS HAS INCREASED <br />SUBSTANTIALLY. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE COSTS OF CLEANING UP THE <br />POLLUTION OF THE ADJACENT SOILS AND AQUIFERS, THE INSURANCE COSTS <br />HAVE RISEN SHARPLY. <br /> <br />THERE- FORE THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY HAS J3EEN MOVING IN THE DIRECTION <br />OF ABOVE GROUND TANKS FOR THE STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE <br />LIQUIDS. THE ADVANTAGES CITED BY THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ARE MANY. <br />LOWER PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION COSTS, VISIBILITY OF LEAKS OR <br />SPILLS, LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS, PORTABILITY OF THE INSTALLATIONS, <br />AND SAFETY OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARE SOME OF THESE ADVANTAGES. <br /> <br />IN 1989, THE MINNESOTA STATE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE, AFTER SUBSTANTIAL <br />LOBBYING BY THE NORTHWEST PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION AND RESEARCH INTO <br />PAST FIRE PROBLEMS INVOLVING ABOVE GROUND STORAGE TANKS, AMENDED <br />THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE TO ALLOW THE DISPENSING OF FUEL INTO THE <br />TANKS OF MOTOR VEHICLES FROM ABOVE GROUND TANKS WHEN APPROVED BY <br />THE LOCAL FIRE CHIEF. IT WAS FELT THAT THE STORAGE OF FUEL IN ABOVE <br />GROUND TANKS DID NOT POSE A PROBLEM BUT THE DISPENSING INTO MOTOR <br />VEHICLES CREATED A POTENTIAL FOR FIRES TO OCCUR DUE TO CARELESSNESS <br />OR THE LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE. SINCE THE ALLOWING OF THESE <br />INSTALLATIONS, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED FIRE INCIDENTS INVOLVING <br />THESE INSTALLATIONS THAT I AM AWARE OF. <br />