Downieville Gas Station Tanks Filled

DOWNIEVILLE — This morning, January 8th, brought a sight that hadn’t been seen in Downieville for many years: a gasoline truck. Carrying 8,300 gallons of fuel from Sacramento, the Downieville Motor Company now has 5,000 gallons of 87-octane regular, 1,800 gallons of 91-octane premium, and 1,500 gallons of diesel. There will also be 89-octane, created by mixing 87 & 91. The actual filling of the tank took just minutes in a smooth and quieter-than-expected process.

B&T Service Station Contractors and their crew have been in town completing final inspections. The process of getting the gas to flow is quite complicated, but after two inspections this week, they put the hoses on the pumps and filled the tanks. One final State of California inspection called the “Monitor Certification” remains. Then, pumps will be ready to operate 24 hours a day. However, a pile of contaminated soil that was dug up during the tank installation process must be removed and hauled to Nevada for disposal before the station can get final approval to operate, which is expected to delay the opening by around two weeks.