As we learn more about earthquake hazards, we also begin to realize the vulnerabilities that exist in our communities. Liquid fuels is one of those vulnerabilities. The Seattle metro area has the same type of risks to its fuel supplies, but not on a river. Instead, it is on Puget Sound and Elliott Bay.
See this article, “Oregon Seeks to Avert Environmental Catastrophe From Quake.” Don’t think that everyone woke up recently and said, “What about all those old fuel tanks holding all our petroleum reserves down by the river?” This issue of fuel vulnerability has been known for a long time. It is just now in the popular news.
I don’t know how you retrofit a 50- or 100-year-old fuel tank. Relocating is one option, as is building new. Down by the river may be convenient for barges, but it is not a very effective place to put your fuel eggs all in one basket.
This is just one of many thorny issues that lie waiting to come and bite the community when the ground shakes. Unreinforced masonry buildings (URM) in downtown Portland are another one.
As for the fuel tanks, you are talking hundreds of millions of dollars to fix this issue. Or, we can wait for the earthquake and then those burning tanks and the fuel igniting on the river is going to be just spectacular! I’m betting the tanks won’t get fixed. Other priorities will get in the way.
Claire Rubin shared the link above.
