This Web site chronicles the City of Alexandria’s actions regarding the Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Ethanol Transloading Facility, which began operation in April 2008. The facility is located at the former Norfolk Southern intermodal terminal in the City’s West End.

Ethanol is essentially grain alcohol that has been produced from crops such as corn, wheat, and barley. Because it is domestically produced, it reduces our dependence on foreign fuel sources. Naturally high-octane ethanol contains more oxygen, so it burns cleaner than gasoline and reduces carbon monoxide emissions. Most gasoline-powered vehicles can run on a blend consisting of gasoline and up to 10% ethanol. 

• Community Notice: Norfolk Southern Begins Used Oil Transfer Operations 
• Learn more about ethanol

Updates

• Alexandria City Council Resolution Regarding the Proposed Norfolk Southern Ethanol Transloading Facility Operations Increase - May 14, 2013
• Statement from Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille Regarding the Proposed Norfolk Southern Ethanol Transloading Facility Operations Increase
• Norfolk Southern Seeks Permit to Increase Rail Cars at Ethanol Transloading Facility
  The City of Alexandria received information from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) on Friday, May 3, regarding a Norfolk Southern proposal and permit request seeking to increase the number of rail cars containing ethanol offloaded at its transloading facility from the current 14 cars to 30 cars per day. The facility was previously exempted from VDEQ’s air permitting requirements. However, increased emissions resulting from expanded operations triggered the need for an air permit.
  
  Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young has provided information to the Alexandria City Council outlining the Norfolk Southern proposal. The City has also sent a letter to the Northern Regional Office of VDEQ to formally request a public hearing be held in the City of Alexandria for this draft permit. This would enable the City and its residents to voice their opinions on this permit.
  
• Ethanol Spill - September 4, 2012
  On September 4, 2012, at 4:30 p.m., approximately 150 gallons of ethanol spilled at the transloading facility. According to Norfolk Southern, the spill occurred when ethanol was being transferred from a rail car to a tanker truck, and the truck was overfilled. The overfill protection system activated, and the spill was contained by employees at the facility. There were no injuries and no contamination to the surrounding area. Railroad officials notified the National Response Center, which notified the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, which notified the Alexandria Fire Department. City officials are following up with Norfolk Southern management regarding their failure to immediately notify the Alexandria Fire Department of the spill. Alexandria City Manager Rashad Young issued a memo to Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille and the Alexandria City Council outlining the timeline of the incident on September 4, 2012.