DOE Says Gas Station Will Have Additional Safeguards

Martin Alegria

Chief Environmental Officer Martin Alegria also commented on the proposed gas station development. According to Alegria, D.O.E. conducted site visits along with the Fire Department. And, at the end of the process, the developers satisfied them that all requirements for the building of a gas station were being met.

Martin Alegria, Chief Environmental Officer

“For example, Mr. Vasquez wants to open a gas station but he has one lot. But his lot, when we go there with fire and see that it doesn’t meet the hundred feet minimum from the storage tanks and the nearest residence, then that is it. But, we would also advise them if you are buying your neighbor’s yard which is empty, then perhaps you could meet that minimum distance. Secondly, if you buy the neighbor’s yard, you build the tank underground so that it is not exposed out there for any negative impact that could happen, for example explosions, or spills, leakage right or spills. Thirdly, if you vault it, so you have distance that you buy another lot, that you build it underground, that you vault it. Another requirement that you impose is that you put vault walls; explosion prevention walls.  To the extent that my officers and the Fire Department were convinced that the guidelines were being met with all these additional safe guards that were being imposed on the investors, which implies more economic input or financial input by the investor.”