Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission approves Claremore fuel-truck grant after heated debate and promise to revisit rules

The Oklahoma Aerospace Aeronautics Commission approved a state grant for a 3,000-gallon Jet A fuel truck for Claremore Regional Airport on Dec. 11 after a lengthy debate over whether the agency should fund equipment that some commissioners described as an airport operational expense.

Commissioners voted to approve the grant for the mobile fuel truck as part of an amendment to the Airport Construction Program. The motion to approve item 9, section B (the Claremore fuel truck) passed with a majority; Commissioner Hunter voted against the motion. Commissioners also voted separately to add two other projects in the same agenda item — a hangar at Alba Regional Airport and a plane-spotting/viewing area at Tulsa International — which carried earlier.

The commission’s airports staff introduced the request as part of a broader expansion of the agency’s fuel system program. Staff said the state amended emergency rules this year to allow funding for mobile (truck) or fixed fuel systems and for Jet A as well as avgas. Nick Young, presenting the item for staff,…