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Commission approves second 30,000-gallon LP tank for Menasini Petroleum after safety briefing
Summary
Planning commissioners approved a special use permit for a second 30,000-gallon liquid-propane tank at 7945 Reno Highway after the applicant described safety features and coordination with the fire marshal; staff and Dyker Pearl Minerals raised and discussed hazard concerns.
The Churchill County Planning Commission on Sept. 25 approved Special Use Permit SUP-20530 for Menasini Petroleum LLC to add a second 30,000-gallon aboveground LP (liquid propane) storage tank at its facility at 7945 Reno Highway, after an extended discussion of safety measures and potential risks.
Dean Patterson summarized staff’s review and noted a comment letter from Dyker Pearl Minerals, a facility located about 1,200 feet northeast, raising concerns that a large propane release could migrate and interact with on-site furnaces at Dyker Pearl. Patterson and the applicant’s representatives described mitigating factors, including tank size relative to catastrophic-release thresholds, separation by the highway and elevated rail, and modern safety and regulatory standards.
Eric Anderson of Bighorn Consulting and owner Jim Menasini described the safety and engineering controls: compliance with NFPA 58 and American Petroleum Institute standards, certified tank construction, excess-flow and emergency shutdown valves, weekly inspections, breakaway systems, vehicle interlocks, grounding procedures, concrete strip footings and perimeter bollards. Menasini said the new tank would be installed to modern standards, a fire safety analysis will be completed to the fire marshal’s satisfaction, and permits would be submitted to the building department and state LP-gas board.
Commissioners asked about leaks, seismic concerns, anchorage and the weight and foundation for the tank; Menasini and consultants described seismic anchorage, strip footings and other engineered features. After discussion, Commissioner Joe Frey moved to approve the SUP subject to staff conditions; the motion passed unanimously. The commission noted a 10‑day appeal period.
