Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law a measure that will require the Pickett Road Tank Farm in Fairfax City, which has plagued the surrounding area with oil leaks since the early 1990s, to conform to more stringent design requirements.
“Now the Pickett Road tank farm will have to meet the same safety standards as any other above ground facility in the Commonwealth,” said Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax, who sponsored the measure in the Senate. “As the requirements take effect, the owners will have two choices: come up to safety standards or shut down their business.”
Tank-farm owners will have until 2021 to restore tanks built prior to 1992 so they conform to current design requirements, like having double bottoms to prevent leaks. In the early 1990s, a massive oil plume leaking from a tank at the site spread into the neighboring Mantua neighborhood.
The bill, sponsored by Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, cleared both chambers unanimously. But it ran into a roadblock when McDonnell, on the advice of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, sent back an amendment that would instead direct the state water control board to review such requirements and, if necessary, develop additional regulations to prevent leaks.
Both chambers rejected the amendment, however.
“By signing this bill into law, Gov. McDonnell is making a strong statement that the health and safety of our community comes first,” said Bulova.
