Jason
Officials say a 24-inch ruptured pipeline is to blame
Oscar Flores, KEYT-KCOY-KKFX Digital Journalist, oscar.flores@keyt.comPOSTED: 01:31 PM PDT May 19, 2015 UPDATED: 08:47 PM PDT May 19, 2015
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Caif. -An oil spill from a pipeline west of Goleta, along the Refugio State Beach coastline, has emergency crews in the ocean and on the beach since about 11:42 a.m. Tuesday.
Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard said that the oil slick is 4 miles wide.
Authorities estimate that at least 21,000 gallons of crude oil have been spilled thus fur.
County Fire crews, environmental and state Park officials, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and an ExxonMobil official, were called out to the scene.
Officials credit a 24-inch ruptured pipeline as the cause of the oil spill. The Coast Guard said that the ruptured pipeline belongs to Texas-based 'Plains All-American Pipeline.'
At about 2:09 p.m., capped the source of the oil spill. However, some residual seepage occurred.
Capt. Dave Zaniboni with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, said the spill went into a culvert that ran under the U.S. 101 and into the ocean.
Refugio State Beach and the campground at Refugio have both been closed down due to the oil spill. There is a warning in effect at El Capitan State Beach.
A family living near Orella Ranch along the coast, told NewsChannel 3 that they are self-evacuating the area because the smell was overwhelming. Health officials are investigating to see whether or not the odor is a health risk.
Crews with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife/OSPR, along with Clean Seas and Patriot contractors, are on scene for cleanup. Crews are working diligently to address concerns over marine life and birds in the area, some of which, have already been seen fully covered in oil. The Coast Guard will see oversee the cleanup.
A COMPANY WITH A HISTORY OF SPILLS
Plains All-American Pipeline, the company authorities say is responsible for the spill, has a prior spills history. According to the EPA and U.S. Justice Department, Plains All-American Pipeline has had 10 serious crude oil spills in four states that included: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas.
In 2010, the company reached a settlement with the EPA for a $3.25 million dollars civil penalty for violating the Clean Water Act. The company also agreed to spend $41 million dollars to upgrade more than 10,000 miles of crude oil pipelines.
Between June 2004 and September 2007, more than 273,000 gallons of crude oil were discharged from various pipelines owned by Plains All-American Pipeline, according to the EPA. Some of that oil ended up in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
In January 2015, a coalition of environmental groups sued Plain All-American Pipeline over an oil-by-train terminal near Taft.
Plain All-American Pipeline released the following statement Tuesday night:
"Earlier today, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., became aware of a crude oil release from its 24-inch Las Flores to Gaviota pipeline in Santa Barbara County. Initial reports indicate the released oil reached a culvert leading to the Pacific Ocean. As a result, the spill has impacted ocean water and the shoreline. At this time, the amount of released oil is unknown.
Plains shut down the flow of oil in the pipeline and has initiated its emergency response plan. The culvert has been blocked so no additional oil is reaching the water. Plains is working with local officials and first responders on site to begin clean up and remediation efforts.
Plains deeply regrets this release has occurred and is making every effort to limit its environmental impact. Our focus remains on ensuring the safety of all involved. No injuries have been reported at this time."
Brad Leone
Director, Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations Plains All American Pipeline-------------------------------------
The Environmental Defense Center released the following statement:
"EDC is closely monitoring the oil spill off Refugio State Beach. Unfortunately with accidents and oil development, it is not a question of if, but of when. But to see this level of spill into such a sensitive and treasured environment is devastating to watch. These waters are known as the Galapagos of North America with numerous species of endangered whales migrating through marine protected areas and off the iconic and beloved Gaviota Coast.
Source: http://www.keyt.com/news/Oil-Spill-Off-Santa-Barbara-County-Coastline/33109126
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