By Joey Chenoweth | Coolidge Examiner
One of the riskiest aspects of the City of Coolidge’s infrastructure is one that almost nobody has ever seen.
Underneath the surface at Coolidge Municipal Airport are massive oil tanks. These are connected to fuel pumps that planes can use whenever they come through the airport. The problem is, the tanks have been down there for 30 years, and their position underground leaves the city extremely vulnerable should there be a leak, with underground contamination considered a serious problem by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Rick Miller, the city’s growth management director and airport manager, has proposed replacing these tanks with an above-ground variety than can be easily monitored. During their Jan. 13 meeting, city council approved 4-1, with Jon Thompson dissenting, to put out a request for bid proposals on the project, which was included in this year’s budget under capital improvement plans.
