EPA Update on Yellowstone River Oil Spill (Silvertip Pipeline), July 15, 2011 (MT)
EPA Update on Yellowstone River Oil Spill (Silvertip
Pipeline), July 15, 2011
Lisa McClain Vanderpool, (303) 501-4027; Libby Faulk, (406)
351-9014
(Billings, Mont --, July 15, 2011) The U.S. EPA continues to
oversee the response to the ExxonMobil spill on the Yellowstone
River. This weekend, EPA will provide direction and oversight as
Exxon removes any residual oil from two segments of pipeline on
either side of the break location. EPA and the state have reviewed
and approved procedures to ensure that there are no further
releases of oil into the environment as a result of these
activities.
PLEASE NOTE: On Saturday July 16th our daily media briefing
will occur via conference call, and not in person, and we will not
issue any press releases over the weekend. There is no call on
Sunday, July 17th. However, we will continue to post the latest
information including monitoring data and progress on clean-up and
restoration on our website, epa.gov/yellowstoneriverspill. During
the week of July 18th we will hold daily media briefings via
conference call at 11 a.m. and will continue to answer additional
media questions via email or phone as they occur. For conference
call dial-in information, please contact the people listed
above.
There are 750 personnel on site with 540 currently in the field
engaged in cleanup or sampling activities. Cleanup crews have used
over 50,000 feet of absorbent booms and 260,000 absorbent pads,
among other materials. There are 56 boats on scene as well.
At approximately 11:00 PM on Friday, July 1 a break occurred in a
12-inch pipeline owned by ExxonMobil that resulted in a spill of
crude oil into the Yellowstone River approximately 20 miles
upstream of Billings, Montana. The current estimate of the amount
of oil released remains at 1,000 barrels based on information
provided by ExxonMobil. EPA's primary concern is protecting
people's health and the environment. EPA will remain on-site to
ensure cleanup and restoration efforts do just that. EPA continues
to hold ExxonMobil, the responsible party, accountable for
assessment and cleanup.
Press inquiries: [email protected]
Please visit http://www.epa.gov/yellowstoneriverspill
for the latest information, data, and maps.
The Montana DEQ encourages people to call the Governor’s
information line at 406-657-0231 with questions, concerns or
comments, or visit www.yellowstoneriveroilspill.mt.gov.