Lawmakers Demand Answers on Andrews Jet Fuel Spill

Maryland lawmakers have formally requested information from the Air Force concerning a substantial jet fuel leak at Joint Base Andrews. The incident, which released an estimated 32,000 gallons of fuel between January and March, has raised concerns among state delegates about the transparency of the response. Officials noted that the contamination affected soil and reached Piscataway Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Lawmakers expressed frustration over what they described as a delay in the Air Force providing comprehensive details to the Maryland Department of the Environment. This delay, they argued, prevented timely measures to mitigate the spread of pollution.

Base staff discovered the leak due to a visible fuel sheen and a distinct odor emanating from Piscataway Creek. The refueling system from which the jet fuel leaked has since been shut down, and a contractor is currently engaged in cleanup and investigating the cause of the failure. While the Maryland Department of the Environment confirmed in April that drinking water was not impacted, lawmakers are seeking assurances about ongoing containment efforts, leak detection systems, and future prevention strategies. They highlighted that this spill exacerbates existing environmental issues in the Piscataway Creek watershed, which includes legacy pollution from PFAS contamination.