Sprague to build new bulk fuel plant in North Franklin Township

April 13, 2019

Scott Beveridge
Observer-Reporter

A supplier of heating fuel will build a new, nearly $3 million bulk plant along West Chestnut Street in North Franklin Township.

The township on Wednesday approved the project, while setting conditions on how Sprague Resources can proceed with the development.

“We want to make sure we do it right,” said Dean Rombaugh, who presented the application to the township on behalf of the company.

Sprague of New Hampshire in 2017 purchased the operation from Coen Energy of Washington, which includes field services that support the Marcellus and Utica shale drilling activities.

The new bulk plant at 1110 W. Chestnut St. is expected to be completed in 2020 and will result in the closings of two older bulk plants in Washington, township records show.

The property is owned by Sprague and currently used for parking and the storage of fuel trucks and portable storage tanks. The new plant will hold five bulk petroleum storage tanks and four smaller ones for fuel additives, the application states.

The township’s conditions include the placement of signs indicating the contents of any water storage facilities on the site. Sprague also must provide to North Franklin a spill containment plan.

Sprague also is not permitted to store hazardous materials on the property, township records show.