Phoenix Energy says proposed truck ban on County Road 2472 East would cut off access to propane terminal near school

At a May 26 public hearing, Phoenix Energy representatives told the Liberty County Commissioner's Court that a proposed “no through trucks” restriction on County Road 2472 East would block the only access to a propane terminal and could run afoul of state law, while county staff warned the road runs beside a school and raised safety concerns.

Tom Fry, a representative of Phoenix Energy, told the court: “This is our only access road to the terminal and the land that surrounds the area,” and said ExxonMobil and Energy Transfer also use the road. Fry said the restriction would “affect almost 50% of our business line” and that the company had already lost “hundreds of thousands of dollars” after initial signs went up, citing lost sales and customer departures.

A Phoenix Energy representative told the court the county's traffic ordinance would, as drafted, likely violate the Texas Transportation Code because the statute requires an alternative route before prohibiting certain vehicle types. The representative said the company had sent a notice and petition to the county attorney and sought to work with county officials to avoid litigation.

Chris Bufeld, identified as the terminal's manager, said the facility has operated for 11 years without incidents on County Road 2427 East and emphasized that drivers follow Department of Transportation rules. “We've never had any incidents with any trucks that do cross 2427 East,” he said, and urged the court to consider employees' livelihoods and the local customers who rely on delivered propane.

County staff advising the court said the road runs next to a portion of a school and that, in the event of an overturned LPG truck, there could be risk of fire or explosion near school facilities. The staff member said legal advice on the item might be taken up in executive session if the court needs it.

No vote or formal decision was taken at the hearing. The presiding official closed the public comment period after the Phoenix Energy representatives finished and paused before the commissioner's regular meeting. Phoenix Energy representatives said they were willing to meet with county officials to seek an accommodation that preserves access while addressing the county's safety concerns.

The hearing centered on the proposed restriction for County Road 2472 East in Road and Bridge Precinct No. 1 and on whether the county's traffic-control authority under Texas Transportation Code §251.155(a) allows the county to adopt a prohibition without providing an alternative route.