Planning commission approves butane transloading permit at Fernley rail park with safety conditions

The Churchill County Planning Commission on Feb. 12 voted unanimously to approve a special‑use permit for a rail‑based transloading facility that will move liquid butane from rail cars to long‑haul trucks at the Western Nevada Rail Park (Inlandport Drive).

Dean Patterson, Public Works and Planning, said the application included a nearly 200‑page NDEP submittal with safety plans and a hazard assessment; the county’s primary concern was operational safety because butane is a compressed, low‑temperature liquid that is heavier than air and can pool if released. “Operational safety is the primary concern for this application,” Patterson said.

Representatives from Energy Transfer and the proposed operator, Tactical Cleaning Acquisition LLC, described the equipment and safeguards. Crystal Connor of Energy Transfer said the operator will perform transloading with a trailer‑mounted compressor and closed‑loop hoses that limit vapor releases; she said the product would move seasonally and would not be stored long term on site. The applicant said typical activity would be up to seven rail cars staged with about 10 trucks loaded on a busy day.

Mitch Young, Fallon‑Churchill Fire Department fire marshal, told the commission he had reviewed the submittal and that the operation generally meets National Fire Protection Association codes; he noted the need to refine emergency timelines and coordination with state and local responders. The staff report and the fire marshal recommended an emergency management plan be developed in consultation with the fire marshal and the state fire marshal before operations commence.

Public commenters asked about cumulative risk at the rail park (propane, diesel, ammonium nitrate already present) and about how drivers and visiting carriers are vetted to prevent unauthorized transloading. Energy Transfer said transloading sites require load authorization numbers and that operators and drivers are hazmat trained; the company also described multiple mechanical safety features (pneumatic closure valves, vapor compressors and automatic shutdowns) and periodic operator training held for local emergency responders.

Commissioner Jeff Goings moved approval subject to the staff report conditions; the motion passed unanimously. The approval requires the operator to complete a process safety and risk mitigation plan, coordination with the Fire Marshal and NDEP, and restrictions on static storage and hours of truck activity per the staff report.