Members of Athens' City Services Committee discussed the future of the city's fuel tanks at last night's city council committee meetings and began to consider options in replacing or removing the tanks, which are used to fuel all city vehicles.

The Environmental Protection Agency has asked for the city tanks to be removed. Athens Mayor Ric Abel said if the tanks are removed and replaced it will cost the city about $100,000.

The city has three options for handling the fuel tank issue, he said. The city could fuel city vehicles from commercial gas stations, which would cost the city about 25 cents more per gallon than the price it costs for bulk gas purchases.

The city also could erect new fuel tanks that would cost $100,000 and add extra financial strain on the city, Abel said.

The city also has an option of paying OU to use their fuel tanks. OU would charge the city 10 percent on top of the cost of gas per gallon. However, Abel said the city and OU only have had preliminary talks.

To use OU's fuel tanks, each city vehicle and employee would have an access card to be able to fuel the vehicle. Abel urged council to consider this option.

Dale Tampke, chairman of city services committee, said as soon as Abel sends him the revised proposal Tampke will bring it up at city council as an ordinance.