WESTCO BULK PLANT Fuel Terminal in Crawford, Nebraska

WESTCO BULK PLANT is a fuel terminal situated at 20 W Ash Creek Rd in Crawford, Nebraska, within Dawes County. The facility is operational and plays a role in the local fuel supply chain, handling the storage and distribution of petroleum products. As a bulk plant, it typically receives fuel via truck or pipeline and stores it in aboveground or underground tanks before transferring it to smaller distributors or end users. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which includes the Underground Storage Tank (UST) regulations and the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule. These regulations require secondary containment, leak detection, and spill response plans to minimize environmental risks. In Nebraska, the state's Department of Environment and Energy also enforces additional requirements for tank registration and inspection. The plant's location in rural western Nebraska places it in an area with low population density, reducing the immediate risk to large populations. However, its proximity to Ash Creek and the surrounding agricultural land means that any spill could impact local water resources and ecosystems. The facility's operational status indicates it continues to serve the fuel needs of the region, supporting local agriculture, transportation, and community infrastructure.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of Nebraska near Ash Creek, a tributary of the Niobrara River. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural and rangeland. Spill risks from fuel storage could affect local water quality and soil, particularly given the potential for leaks from underground or aboveground tanks. Secondary containment and regular monitoring are critical to prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water in this sensitive environment.