Measure to Urge Removal of Jet Fuel Gets on Ballot

Norwalk residents will vote on an advisory measure in April on whether the Defense Department should remove 12 tanks containing up to 38 million gallons of flammable jet fuel that are now on a tank farm.

The City Council unanimously approved the advisory measure Tuesday night. Mayor Michael Mendez said that officials hope that a strong public vote to remove the tanks might prompt federal officials to consider such action. Defense Department officials have said the facility provides an essential service and would be too costly to move.

City officials and local residents have long opposed the tank farm because of the potential for fire and explosion, and because fuel leaks over the years have caused environmental problems. Several studies on the facility have found that petroleum products from the tank farm have contaminated soil on the site and seeped beyond the southern boundary of the facility.