Butane Storage Tanks Raise Concern

Even though the butane storage tank meets all state and federal regulatory requirements, residents do not feel safe with a 40-year-old tank that contains up to 25 million gallons of highly flammable butane. Residents fear a potential catastrophe.

1 minute read

October 11, 2011, 5:00 AM PDT

By David Zeetser


Much debate has arisen regarding the various scenarios of what could happen at the 20-acre facility. In the past, many residents have been unaware of the contents in the storage tanks, and are now expressing great concern for safety.

Government officials along with private parties see nothing wrong with these sites. "Although hundreds of people have been killed by conflagrations at large liquefied-petroleum-storage facilities in other countries, officials stress there have been no catastrophic failures at similar propane and butane storage sites in the United States," said Dan Weikel.

Residents of the area disagree and feel strongly against the tanks awaiting their removal. Janet Schaaf-Gunter states that "we live with the misconception that government and private companies are looking out for public safety. Look at San Bruno, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and what Hurricane Katrina did to the levees in New Orleans."

Monday, October 10, 2011 in Los Angeles Times

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

Two people in hi-vis vests install solar panels on a blue roof.

Trump administration unlawfully slashed $7 billion in clean energy grants, judge rules

The Environmental Protection Agency ended the Solar For All program, which provided the grants, after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

September 28 - Inside Climate News

The largest wildlife overpass in North America stretching over the I-25. Both sides of the overpass, and the overpass itself, are covered in brown grass.

Record-breaking wildlife overpass in Colorado brings 91% reduction in animal collisions

Prior to the overpass, vehicles were hitting one deer per day on Colorado’s Interstate 25.

September 28 - CBS Colorado

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks with both hands half-raised. Two American flags, and the flag of California, are behind him.

California lawmakers approve just 5% of much-needed LA28 transportation funding

State legislators appear just as unwilling as Trump to pay for Olympics-related transportation projects.

September 28 - LA Times

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design