Fuel Terminal Talks Stall Among Flagler County, Palm Coast Governments

The governments of both Palm Coast and Flagler County have taken actions to delay the development of a proposed fuel terminal within Palm Coast city limits, as public opposition to the project quickly grows. Prior to setting its sights on Palm Coast, Belvedere Terminals had attempted to secure a location in Ormond Beach which led to them being effectively run out of town. The City of Palm Coast is assessing alternative locations to the one laid out, off of US-1 and Peavy Grade. This location would place it in immediate proximity to a water treatment plant, sparking concerns for the potential impact on city facilities and utilities should there be a spill at the fuel terminal. Prior to Palm Coast's newfound skepticism, the Flagler County Commission was preparing for a Monday discussion on a $10 million grant from the Florida state government to help facilitate the terminal's construction. The grant expires on June 30th, 2026, buying the involved parties a bit of time to potentially reach a more agreeable location. It also stipulates that closing would need to happen within 180 days of the grant's acceptance. As they continue to consider their options, the City of Palm Coast submitted a request to the county to pull the item from their agenda. County Administrator Heidi Petito obliged the request, helping the county discuss the issue only once the City of Palm Coast's plans are more clear moving forward. Just days ago Palm Coast was touting the fuel terminal plans as an injection to the local economy and a valuable method of diversifying the tax base to relieve burden on residents. While these points haven't been decisively refuted, many residents have spoken out to protest the plans out of concern for the city's environmental well-being. Already a citizen petition started this week opposing the project has amassed almost two thousand signatures.