Cleanup and Response
Safety does not stop at prevention and considerable resources are devoted to reducing or controlling the effects of a spill.
Response Plans Are the Law
Pipeline companies are required to prepare comprehensive emergency response plans and to have access to the resources capable of responding to a worst case spill scenario. These response plans are reviewed and approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation's, Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Materials Administration. Various federal, state and local emergency planning officials are also involved in the review or testing of a pipeline company's emergency preparedness.
In the unfortunate event of a substantial spill, the pipeline operator, its contractors and other responders - federal, state, and local officials - follow a standard and detailed response protocol. The team immediately moves to secure the safety of the surrounding community, contain the release, protect especially sensitive environmental areas such as nearby rivers or water supplies and initiate clean up. During significant spills these activities are always conducted under the supervision of federal and state officials.
Recovery and Clean Up Are Fundamental to the Response
After steps have been taken to limit damage, clean up operations begin immediately, and continue intensively. The term "clean up" includes a broad range of efforts at each stage of the process, covering everything from the direct recovery of liquid to long-term remediation and environmental monitoring of the affected area. Local, state and federal officials closely monitor, and in most cases must approve, these efforts.
Most Spilled Oil Is Recovered
A high level of recovery of spilled oil is the rule, not the exception.
- For the year 1998, estimated liquid recovery from all liquids releases, from line pipe as well as tank farms and pump stations, was equal to nearly 80% of the initial volume lost.
- For the entire six year statistical period from 1993 - 1998, the recovery of spilled liquids reported within the OPS data equaled 58% of the initial loss.
It is important to keep in mind that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's data is limited to estimates of liquids recovered directly. It does not include remediation and other recovery techniques that may take longer to complete. Today's environmental standards, however, would normally require removal or treatment of nearly all of the remaining petroleum spilled that poses a risk to humans or the environment. These spill remediation and final stage recovery efforts are conducted under the continuing supervision of federal and state officials.
