Port of Ephrata moves forward with jet fuel installation

EPHRATA — The Port of Ephrata has awarded a roughly $1.2 million contract to H&H Construction Solutions out of Ellensburg to install a jet fuel tank, pump and related infrastructure at the Ephrata Municipal Airport, said the port’s Executive Director David Lanman.

“The permanent tank’s going to be put right next to the existing tank as part of the (fuel) farm, and that was the only location that the (Federal Aviation Administration) granted,” Lanman said.

The installation of a large, permanent jet fuel tank is part of the port’s five-to-ten year plan to add functionality at the airport with the hope of drawing more clients to the facility. That includes a variety of jets that would be able to utilize the fuel and possible occupants of the hangars and other structures available to lease there. Lanman said the idea is to take the steps that will make the port sustainable to serve the community for years to come.

“This is an investment for the long term,” he said. “This isn’t something that we’re going to put in there and all of a sudden, we’re overflowing with dollars the next month. This is a long-term investment.”

Lanman said airports of any size will not grow or be economically viable unless they have Jet A, the type of fuel that will be provided in the new tank and pump.

“It’s critically important that this move be made so that we have the opportunity to take advantage of potential projects down the road that are really dependent on Jet A at this (air)field,” Lanman said.

According to the fuel company Shell, Jet A is a type of fuel used for jet aircraft, primarily in the U.S. It is a kerosine type fuel with a maximum freeze point of -40 degrees C, making it useful in a variety of environments.

The port has had Jet A available through an on-site truck for several months, and sales have been slow thus far, but Lanman said it takes time for the word to get out about the fuel being available. He has said in the past that Ephrata’s position between Seattle and various other airports in the Pacific Northwest makes it a good stopping point for aircraft that want to avoid the traffic associated with other nearby ports when they need to stop for fuel. There are also opportunities for cargo aircraft to refuel while loading up at the site.

Construction on the new fuel infrastructure is tentatively set for early September, pending the finalization of permits, and lining up other minor details with the construction schedule, Lanman said.

Funding for the project comes through a state loan that has a 20-year term, Lanman said, which makes it easier for the port to absorb financially.

Article by R. HANS MILLER with the Columbia Basin Herald

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