(Courtesy photo by Sawtooth Caverns LLC) These tanks are among the aboveground equipment at Sawtooth Caverns, a facility outside Delta, Utah, where propane is stored in chambers that were hollowed out in a massive salt dome. Despite concerns about the dome’s seismic integrity, Utah regulators recently OK'd Sawtooth’s request to store millions of barrels of refined petroleum fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. These fuels would be delivered by rail and pipeline from Salt Lake City and West Coast refineries for storage during periods of low demand.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.