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BILLINGS, Montana (AP) Pipeline spills caused by flooding dumped 2.4 million gallons of crude oil and other hazardous liquids into U.S. waterways over the past two decades, according to a new report from federal regulators.
The Department of Transportation report to Congress comes in response to a 2011 spill into Montana's Yellowstone River. The spill highlighted gaps in federal pipeline rules that require lines to be buried just 4 feet (1.2 meters) below riverbeds scant cover that can quickly be scoured away by floodwaters.
The Associated Press obtained the report before its public release.
Regulators found 16 flood-related pipeline spills since 1993 in California, Texas, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kentucky. Of the 2.4 million gallons of oil, gasoline, propane and other hazardous liquids released, less than 300,000 gallons were recovered.
Although those accidents account for fewer than 1 percent of the total number of pipeline accidents, the consequences of a release in water can be much more severe because of the threats to drinking water supplies and the heightened potential for environmental damage.
The most recent accidents came during flooding in 2011 throughout the Missouri River Basin.
Those include the Yellowstone River Spill, in which a severed Exxon Mobil Corp. pipeline released 63,000 gallons, as well as a 4,200-gallon anhydrous ammonia spill into the Missouri River in Nebraska and a 28,350-gallon gasoline spill into the Missouri River in Iowa.
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, who requested the report with fellow Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, said the results reveal "some pretty clear holes in pipeline oversight when it comes to flooding."
But Baucus said the report leaves unanswered basic questions about what steps can be taken to prevent future accidents
Transportation Department officials will next evaluate whether pipeline crossing rules such as the 4-foot depth requirement are sufficient, said Jeannie Layson, communications director for the agency's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The agency must deliver another report to Congress within the next year to update lawmakers on its plans.
Pipeline companies are required to inspect crossings under navigable waterways at least once every five years.
An industry representative cautioned against imposing stringent new regulations. Such rules could force companies to divert money from other safety initiatives, such as reducing accidents caused by corrosion or excavation damage, said John Stoody, of the Association of Oil Pipe Lines.
There are at least 2,841 locations across the U.S. where hazardous liquid pipeline cross rivers and other bodies of water, according to the report.
In recent years, many pipeline companies have voluntarily buried their lines deeper than federal rules require. Using a technique called horizontal directional drilling, pipelines can be installed deeper beneath riverbeds, minimizing the chances they could be exposed to damaging floodwaters and debris.
The technique can cost millions of dollars for a single water crossing.
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good thing proposed pipeline from Canada so well designed. a bust from proposed pipeline would be billions or more
The Department of Transportation report to Congress comes in response to a 2011 spill into Montana's Yellowstone River. The spill highlighted gaps in federal pipeline rules that require lines to be buried just 4 feet (1.2 meters) below riverbeds scant cover that can quickly be scoured away by floodwaters.
The Associated Press obtained the report before its public release.
Regulators found 16 flood-related pipeline spills since 1993 in California, Texas, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kentucky. Of the 2.4 million gallons of oil, gasoline, propane and other hazardous liquids released, less than 300,000 gallons were recovered.
Although those accidents account for fewer than 1 percent of the total number of pipeline accidents, the consequences of a release in water can be much more severe because of the threats to drinking water supplies and the heightened potential for environmental damage.
The most recent accidents came during flooding in 2011 throughout the Missouri River Basin.
Those include the Yellowstone River Spill, in which a severed Exxon Mobil Corp. pipeline released 63,000 gallons, as well as a 4,200-gallon anhydrous ammonia spill into the Missouri River in Nebraska and a 28,350-gallon gasoline spill into the Missouri River in Iowa.
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, who requested the report with fellow Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, said the results reveal "some pretty clear holes in pipeline oversight when it comes to flooding."
But Baucus said the report leaves unanswered basic questions about what steps can be taken to prevent future accidents
Transportation Department officials will next evaluate whether pipeline crossing rules such as the 4-foot depth requirement are sufficient, said Jeannie Layson, communications director for the agency's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The agency must deliver another report to Congress within the next year to update lawmakers on its plans.
Pipeline companies are required to inspect crossings under navigable waterways at least once every five years.
An industry representative cautioned against imposing stringent new regulations. Such rules could force companies to divert money from other safety initiatives, such as reducing accidents caused by corrosion or excavation damage, said John Stoody, of the Association of Oil Pipe Lines.
There are at least 2,841 locations across the U.S. where hazardous liquid pipeline cross rivers and other bodies of water, according to the report.
In recent years, many pipeline companies have voluntarily buried their lines deeper than federal rules require. Using a technique called horizontal directional drilling, pipelines can be installed deeper beneath riverbeds, minimizing the chances they could be exposed to damaging floodwaters and debris.
The technique can cost millions of dollars for a single water crossing.
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good thing proposed pipeline from Canada so well designed. a bust from proposed pipeline would be billions or more
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