Originally Posted by
Upgraded!
Also, isn't the jet fuel stored underground? I'm assuming that would keep it well enough insulated to avoid freezing even if temperatures were colder… By contrast, where does ORD store its supplies of diesel? There's also the fact that planes are fueled multiple times per day, while ground vehicles are probably fueled less frequently/have more idle hours and also have less insulated tanks.
99% of jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, crude, and other fuels are stored above ground in steel tanks (until they are taken to a retail style store). These tanks are not insulated or heated in any fashion.
The main reason for doing this is the size requirements to store the appropriate amount of fuel needed at the airport each day.
The amount of fuel used by even a slightly smaller airport like Houston Hobby is between 4,000-5,000 barrels (168,000 to 210,000 gallons) of jet per day.
Another big reason for keeping this storage above ground in the need to verify that there are no leaks or other problems with the tanks.