New airport fuel tank project prompts lawsuit

One of the main flight service companies operating at the airport is suing the county over a new above-ground fuel tank being installed by a competitor.
photo credit: Courtesy of STS
Sonoma County's airport.

Plaintiffs are awaiting a hearing date in a lawsuit alleging a project at the Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County Airport could cause an aviation catastrophe.

One of the main flight service companies operating at the airport is suing the county over a new above-ground fuel tank being installed by a competitor.

Airport, and by extension county, officials have approved the tank and its location.

Les Perry, a partner at Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller and Moskowitz is representing the Sonoma Jet Center. It's a firm providing maintenance, flight support and airport hangers, mainly to private planes.

Perry told KRCB News that the fuel tank is being installed near the airport's control tower.

"It's adjacent to the public terminal and it's in a location that implicates moving aircraft on a regular basis," Perry said.

The fear, according to Perry, is that a truck or plane could clip the tank, and in a worst case scenario, cause an explosion.

Speaking on behalf of Josh Hochberg, co-owner of Sonoma Jet Center, Perry said his client isn't the only one who has raised issues about the tank, among them airport workers affiliated with the Service Employees International Union.

"The union has weighed in specifically that they are equally concerned," Perry said.

At the same time, Perry conceded that he didn't know of any accidents or incidents at airports elsewhere where a fuel tank's location caused a serious accident.

But he maintained that the choice made for placing the tank where it is, "unusual."

Perry said his client is seeking an injunction against the tank being used.

As to any possible resolution to the case and whether it will be settled or go to trial, Perry responded, "It's too early to say."

KRCB News has reached out to airport manager Jon Stout...we'll have more on this story in the coming days.