Airport official responds to fuel leak investigation

by Cathy Wurzer, Minnesota Public Radio

According to a state investigation, tens of thousands of gallons of jet fuel have leaked out from an underground fuel system over the past three years at the Twin Cities International Airport. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says the fuel has contaminated the ground, and some of it has drained into the Minnesota river. The investigation concludes that officials mismanaged the inspection and upkeep of the system. Other problems cited include fuel workers who failed to monitor the pressure in the system, and who skipped some repairs that were needed. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Pat Hogan, spokesman for the Metropolitan Airports Commission which owns the airport.