
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 13, 1995                   TAG: 9505170010
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THE SERIES

Today: The tank farms that moved in to Montvale put the Bedford County community on the map. Now, what old-timers called "God's green valley" is known as "Tank City." Living with the tanks, though, can take some adjustment.

Sunday: People living near tank farms across the nation complain of a wide variety of major and minor ailments. And some folks blame the farms for cancer, even though evidence is less than conclusive in many cases.

Monday: Think you know who's responsible for inspecting and checking the tanks? Think again.

Tuesday: Billy Belcher was Texaco's terminal manager in Montvale until he was fired and charged with embezzlement. He says the oil giant framed him because he's an environmental whistleblower.

Also, oil companies realize they've gotten a bad image from past practices. They say they're making the future safer by upgrading facilities and improving spill response plans.

by CNB