Board Grills National Grid About Illegal Fuel Tank Storage

National Grid has until July 31 to put in place the proper permitting and inspection requirements to support the installation of four fuel tanks at its headquarters on Bearfoot Road in Northborough.

Representatives from National Grid approached the Board of Selectmen on Monday night to obtain approval to store more than 10,000 gallons of fuel in tanks on its site. The problem is, the fuel is already there in the tanks—some of it since 2008.

The board, as well as Fire Chief David Durgin, expressed grave concern over the lack of prior permitting and inspection procedures that should have been in place before the tanks were erected, and filled.

The tanks are used for the purpose of running emergency generators, said a National Grid representative, and given that the Northborough facility serves as headquarters for New England, "we need to have emergency generators at our facility so we can restore power throughout the New England area." 

Led by some strong words by Selectman Jeff Amberson, the board asked the representatives why the proper procedures were not followed before the tanks were placed on the property. Neither had information as to why it was not done.

National Grid's represenatives Kris Thebado and Joanne Lupa largely remained quiet when asked why the procedures weren't followed properly. Lupa stated that she couldn't address the issue because she wasn't involved in the decision, and did not work for the company at the time.

"With all due respect," said Amberson, "it's not like you're new to this game. I would think you would know the regulations better than anyone given that you're National Grid. It's not like you're some average citizen putting something in your back yard."

Chief Durgin said he became aware of the mishandling of the tanks last year, and immediately issued a memo in July, 2012, stating that he was "disappointed we haven't moved on this process as far as what has already been installed. We'd done nothing to move on the tanks. I want to reinforce how serious this is beacuse they are not properly permitted. They are in the ground now, and they have diesel fuel."

At the time, Durgin said he made the decision to allow National Grid to continue power with what he felt were "adequate installations."

"The problem was there was never formal acceptance of these," he said. "They have met with the neighborhood, and they have met with me, but not to the extent that I would prefer. This isn't simply doing paperwork, and I want the applicant to understand that."

Two 15,000-gallon tanks have been on the property since 2008; two others—a 6,000 and 3,000-gallon tank—were added last year.

Despite the "shortcomings" in obtaining the proper inspections, Durgin said he does believe the tanks to be "fire and environmentally safe."

"I am going to treat the 3,000 and 6,000 gallon tanks as if they were never there," said Durgin. "They will have to meet the current code, so this will be like this facility never existed. This was an installation that wasn't approved or inspected or ones that have gone through the fire department. There is no standing for these tanks to be there or have product in them."

Led by a motion that Amberson "reluctantly" delivered, the board voted to approve the request to allow fuel containment over 10,000 with the condition that National Grid return to a meeting in August with an update, and explanation.The license was issued with the condition that if National Grid did not comply with the conformance of installation and inspections, that a hearing would be scheduled to retract the license.

"I have approved the licenses [on the tanks]," said Durgin. "Part of my understanding is that originally there were two 15,000 gallon tanks there prior to 2008. At that time, National Grid went through a major transformation of building. As part of that proposal, it was understood there would be another generator and tank. I received cut sheets but no installation permits. We signed off on the building. But somewhere, somehow, somebody missed the boat."

Amberson, reinforcing that he demands a follow up report explaining how the oversight happened, added, "This whole board now has been notified that this fuel has been there illegally. It hasn't been inspected or approved. God forbid if something happens tomorrow."