Planning commission recommends approval of Midstream Energy Partners' permit for two 90,000‑gallon LPG tanks

The Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit 26‑01, allowing Midstream Energy Partners to place two 90,000‑gallon liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks at its Casper terminal.

Development Director Sabrina Kemper told commissioners the tanks exceed the county threshold of 12,000 gallons per parcel that requires a CUP under the 2022 zoning resolution and that staff finds the application meets the approval criteria. Kemper said County Fire reviewed and approved the fire-safety analysis and that other agencies (WDEQ, County Health, EPA) would be involved in regulatory oversight as appropriate.

Midstream representatives described the project: Ross Sussick, assistant manager for the Casper location, said the tanks were relocated from Shoshone and will be used to blend butane into pipeline product. "We now have 39 locations across the U.S. and Canada," Sussick said, explaining the company expects to transfer butane by rail, transload to truck and deliver it to the tanks. He added the operation "will meet and exceed the liquid petroleum gas code NFPA 58 for the safe storage, handling, transportation, and use of LPG."

Colin McFeatras, the terminal manager, summarized safety and oversight: engineering review (Fortress Engineering), a Wyoming engineering peer review, WDEQ air‑quality review, an OSHA Process Safety Management program for workers, an EPA Risk Management Plan and a fire-safety analysis used by County Fire. McFeatras said the nearest residence is roughly 3,200 feet away and the company has hydrants that supply 1,500 gallons per minute for fire response.

Commissioners asked why the company needed 90,000‑gallon tanks; McFeatras said they were moving existing tanks rather than buying new ones and that the tanks will be used at a low injection rate (about 4 percent) with a second tank serving as a backup. Commissioners also asked about emergency notification and response; company representatives said monitoring systems (gas/flow/flame detectors, pressure‑safety valves) and manual emergency shutdowns are in place, and that the operator would call the fire department if an event occurred.

With no in-person opposition, a commissioner moved to recommend approval with staff findings incorporated; another seconded. The commission voted aye, forwarding a unanimous due pass recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.