A local natural gas distributor is asking Jim Thorpe Borough to host two temporary storage tanks while they undertake pipeline upgrades.

UGI Utilities hopes to put the liquified natural gas tanks behind Jim Thorpe's Memorial Hall, along East 10th Street, from December through March for up to five years.Borough council approved the concept Thursday night, but the details are still being worked out."This basically says the borough is interested," solicitor Jim Nanovic said. "We haven't discussed the amount the borough would receive for leasing the property yet."Chester Wentz, a UGI regional engineer, said the company would like to have the facility up and running by Dec. 1 to help provide additional service to Jim Thorpe customers this winter."Jim Thorpe is at the end of our pipeline," he said. "We're barely meeting peak demand in the winter and a lot of customers here see dropped pressure. This temporary facility would add extra supply to meet the demands of the borough customers."The gas would be stored as a liquid and vaporized. The natural gas vapor would go right into an underground line, which would tie in at Fern and 10th streets.The facility would have a locked fence around it and UGI representatives assured council it would maintain a safe service."The natural gas is stored at a very cold temperature," Wentz said. "In the worst case scenario of a leak in the tank, it will vaporize immediately and vent into the atmosphere."Nanovic said UGI would be liable for anything that goes wrong.It would be the first such storage facility in UGI's service territory, Wentz said."The concept is done around the country," Councilman John McGuire said. "I think it's a benefit to the town for those customers who have gas. It's a good area where they want to put these tanks."Availability was so low last year that UGI asked the Jim Thorpe School District to conserve energy in the morning and spread out demand over the peak hours."We are upgrading the main line along Route 209 coming into Jim Thorpe," Wentz said. "We would ask for a one-year contract for the temporary tanks with the option to renew up to five years at the most."Councilwoman Joanne Klitsch joined her colleagues in approving the concept, but was skeptical."I'm a little apprehensive about it," she said. "I'm waiting to hear what people have to say about it."